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Q: Discuss IP performance. What are the strengths and what are the pitfalls?
A: At this time, there are no "native" IP-attached storage devices. So, the first generation of IP Storage will rely on "gateways," which adapt existing SCSI and FC storage devices to the IP network. These devices introduce cost and, potentially, performance bottlenecks into the network. An IP network architected just like an FC network, but with, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet replacing Fibre Channel, will see some modest performance advantages. The higher raw bit rate of GbE over FC potentially provides higher throughput, but the store-- and-forward characteristics of GbE switches introduce latency. As the overall diameter of the SAN increases to cover substantial geographic distances, the IP SAN will be able to support link lengths far in excess of Fibre Channel's ability. However, the speed of...