Software FCoE Storage

Software FCoE provides a standard framework to which hardware vendors can plug in their FCoE offload-capable NIC and get the same benefits of a hardware-based FCoE. This eliminates the need for using expensive HBAs Software FCoE can be used with Open vSwitch and Linux bridge as the network backend.

Before creating a new software FCoE storage, configuration required to expose a LUN to the host must be completed manually, including configuring the FCoE fabric and allocating LUNs to your SAN’s public world wide name (PWWN). After completing this configuration, available LUN should be mounted to the host’s CNA as a SCSI device. The SCSI device can then be used to access the LUN as if it were a locally attached SCSI device. For information about configuring the physical switch and the array to support FCoE, refer to the documentation provided by the vendor. For detailed information about Software FCoE, refer to the XenServer Administrator’s Guide.

Note: Software FCoE can be used when using Open vSwitch and Linux bridge as the network backend.

To create a Software FCoE SR

1. Open the New Storage Repository wizard and click New Storage on the toolbar. Alternatively:
   • On the Storage tab for the selected pool or server, click New SR.
   • On the Storage menu, click New SR.
   • In the Resources pane, select a server or pool then right-click and click New SR on the shortcut menu.
2. Select Software FCoE as the Storage type and click Next.
3. Enter a name for the new SR. By default, a description of the SR will be generated automatically by the wizard, including a summary of the configuration options you select as you progress through the wizard. To enter your own description, clear the Auto-generate description check box and type in the Description box. Click Next to continue to the Location page.

4. XenCenter probes for available LUNs and displays a list of LUNs currently exposed to the host. This page also displays detailed information about the LUN such as, the size, serial, ID, NIC, etc. Choose the LUN (s) which you would like to allocate to the SR and click Next.

   Note: If the host cannot find any LUNs, an error message will be displayed. Verify your hardware configuration and retry to continue with the SR creation process.

5. Review the summary and click Finish to complete the SR creation process.