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To: Greg Hull who wrote (17813)	8/26/1998 4:33:00 PM
From: Pigboy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29386

Greg, << My impression of the difference between a channel protocol and a network protocol is that there is no contention for media access in a channel protocol. >> I believe you may correct, but am not positive. I thought that 'channel' referred to the fact that it supports point to point direct link between two specific devices and that 'network' referred to something supporting many devices running over a certain medium. all imho pigboy

To: Greg Hull who wrote (17813)	8/26/1998 6:30:00 PM
From: George Dawson	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 29386

Greg, Here is a good overview of channels vs. networks: ancor.com George D.

To: Greg Hull who wrote (17813)	8/26/1998 7:33:00 PM
From: Craig Stevenson	Respond to of 29386

Greg, Although it may be tehnically correct, I hesitate to use the terms "channel protocol" and "network protocol" in this context (Fibre Channel), because the channel itself is not a protocol. It is a hardware intensive data transport, and as such has much lower overhead than a network. My view of Fibre Channel is that it is a transparent data transport mechanism with the flexibility to handle all types of data, including channel and network protocols. As such, Fibre Channel becomes a pervasive, generic transport, whether the data being transported is SCSI, IPX, IP, ATM, or anything else. I think there is also some confusion regarding where Fibre Channel switches fit. My opinion is that they will become the center of many, if not most Storage Area Networks. <<How is a SAN with a GE switch inferior to a SAN with an FC switch?>> Because it can't connect directly to the storage devices. You are correct to be concerned about Gigabit Ethernet encroaching into the SAN space, simply because of their marketing clout, but I still think it is unlikely. At this point in time, there is NO support from the hard drive makers to move away from SCSI or Fibre Channel interfaces. If anything, the trend towards Fibre Channel is accelerating. That is Fibre Channel's trump card. If my thinking is correct, at some point the big networkers will realize this and start snapping up Fibre Channel companies. This is (or will become) a huge, untapped market opportunity for them, and will provide growth opportunities outside their normal markets. Craig