White Papers
As part of our approach to HBA product development, since the first generation LP6000 shipped in 1996, Emulex’s hardware implementation has included robust data protection technology. This is essential to ensuring that the most sensitive data processed by the HBA is safely and securely transmitted. This consists of error-free handling from the time data is taken off the PCI bus and transmitted optically across the Fibre Channel cable. Further, end-to-end data protection techniques are employed to protect that information until it arrives at its destination within the fabric.
Emulex LightPulse HBAs use a combination of parity, CRC, ECC and other advanced error-checking methodologies to verify that data blocks being passed from the host interface through the HBA are ALWAYS safe from data corruption. When data is transferred between memory devices on the HBA, it is routed in parallel, and parity is checked before and after the data is transferred. There is never a time when the data is not protected by either parity or ECC.
White PaperFor over 10 years and spanning multiple product generations, Emulex Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) have delivered maximum levels of robustness, reliability and performance to Fibre Channel SANs. With more than 3 million HBAs shipped to the marketplace, including some of the most mission-critical sectors such as financial, government, and healthcare. Enterprise-class customers rely on the rock-solid performance and reliability provided by Emulex HBAs for their most demanding applications.Data ProtectionAs part of our approach to HBA product development, since the first generation LP6000 shipped in 1996, Emulex s hardware implementation has included robust data protection technology. This is essential to ensuring that the most sensitive data processed by the HBA is safely and securely transmitted. This consists of error-free handling from the time data is taken off the PCI bus and transmitted optically across the Fibre Channel cable. Further, end-to-end data protection techniques are employed to protect that information until it arrives at its destination within the fabric. Emulex LightPulse HBAs use a combination of parity, CRC, ECC and other advanced error-checking methodologies to verify that data blocks being passed from the host interface through the HBA are ALWAYS safe from data corruption. When data is transferred between memory devices on the HBA, it is routed in parallel, and parity is checked before and after the data is transferred. There is never a time when the data is not protected by either parity or ECC.Emulex HBAs:Generations Ahead!At A glAnceBuilt on seven generations of enterprise-class technology, Emulex LightPulse HBAs are Generations Ahead of competing solutions.ProDuctsEmulex LightPulse HBAsAPPlicAtionsEnterprise-class SAN connectivity solutionsUntitled DocumentMaximum PerformanceEmulex HBAs feature a unique architecture that delivers high performance across a wide range of application environments and adapts seamlessly to varying server workloads. Emulex HBAs feature integrated processors and dedicated hardware engines that ensure maximum I/O processing speeds in transaction processing environments, while enabling sustained high bandwidth delivery to the network. Emulex HBAs also provide the highest levels of server CPU off-load to ensure maximum application performance can be obtained from the server.Two key aspects of the Emulex HBA architecture include, Frame-level Multiplexing and Out-of-Order Frame Reassembly. Emulex s unique Frame-level Multiplexing is an exclusive technology benefit that has been a fundamental part of Emulex HBAs for seven generations, and allows the latest generation 4 Gb/s LP11000 family of HBAs to transmit at 4Gb/s I/O requests at link speed with maximum efficiency, regardless of the application environment.chart 1Untitled DocumentWhite paperFrame-level MultiplexingEmulex has also been providing Frame-level Multiplexing since the early LP6000 series of LightPulse HBAs. This Emulex exclusive technology allows the latest generation of LP11000 and LPe11000 HBAs to transmit at 4Gb/s link speed with maximum efficiency. Fibre Channel data is organized in frames from 512 to 2KB each that are joined into sequences to create large block transfers. Multiple sequences can be combined into a single exchange (see Figure 1).To maximize the 4Gb/s link between an HBA and the switch, Frame-level Multiplexing enables the HBA to ensure that there are no gaps in data transmission to the fabric. If a target device is not capable of receiving any more frames (and thus not completing a sequence or an exchange) Emulex HBAs will begin transmitting a frame from another sequence or exchange. This ability to transmit at the frame level, combined with an algorithm to determine optimum use of the Fibre Channel link ensures MAXIMUM LINK UTILIZATION. Emulex has shipped over 3 MILLION HBAs supporting Frame-level Multiplexing!Figure 1: Fibre channel data componentsUntitled DocumentWhite paperwww.emulex.comcorporate HQ: 3333 Susan Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 662-5600Wokingham, u.K. (44) 118-977-2929 | Paris, France (33) 41-91 19-90 Beijing, china (86 10) 6849-9547This document refers to various companies and products by their trade names. In most, if not all cases, their respective companies claim these designations as trademarks or registered trademarks. This information is provided for reference only. Although this information is believed to be accurate and reliable at the time of publication, Emulex assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Emulex reserves the right to make changes or corrections without notice. This report is the property of Emulex Corporation and may not be duplicated without permission from the Company.07-222 10/06out-of-order Frame reassemblyAnother element of Emulex s Frame-level Multiplexing (Figure 2) is the ability to reassemble frames, which have been received from the link out of order.Frames received from the Fibre Channel link are stored in bins of a receive buffer until all frames in a sequence are received, regardless of the order in which they arrive. The receive buffer bins are dynamically allocated based upon information contained within the exchange context. An Emulex HBA can allocate receive buffers for each target device up to the maximum number of buffer-to-buffer credits provided in the HBA. (To place this buffer memory into context, an Emulex HBA can keep track of up to 2,048 concurrent exchanges). Once all frames are in the RX buffer, they are passed on to DMA for further processing.Emulex has had a longstanding tradition of providing the most innovative, forward-thinking technologies and features to the market. The basic building blocks of an Emulex HBA continue to be rock-solid, enterprise-class performance and reliability. Protecting customers data from corruption has always been a cornerstone of Emulex LightPulse HBAs for more than seven generations of product. Ensuring maximum link utilization, via technologies such as Frame-level Multiplexing with Out-of-Order Frame Reassembly, has also been a standard feature of Emulex HBAs for many years. These basic building blocks have served as the foundation upon which we continue to build award-winning HBAs, which are generations ahead of the competition.Figure 2: out-of-order Frame reassembly
