The iFCP protocol enables the implementation of Fibre Channel functionality over an IP network, within which the Fibre Channel
switching and
routing infrastructure is replaced by IP components and technology. Congestion control, error detection and recovery are provided through the use of TCP (
Transmission Control Protocol). The primary objective of iFCP is to allow existing Fibre Channel devices to be networked and interconnected over an IP based network at
wire speeds. The method of
address translation defined and the
protocol permit Fibre Channel
storage devices and
host adapters to be attached to an IP-based fabric using transparent gateways. The iFCP protocol layer's main function is to transport Fibre Channel
frame images between Fibre Channel
ports attached both locally and remotely. iFCP encapsulates and routes the fibre channel frames that make up each
Fibre Channel information unit via a predetermined TCP connection for transport across the IP network when transporting frames to a remote Fibre Channel port. == See also ==