Fibre connection

[tkamiya]

I should already know this, but I don't.  I'm looking for a kind person who can explain this to me.

My question concerns optical fiber connections.  I know there is a 10GB fiber connection and it uses SFP+ in conjunction with 10GB network card and 10GB capable and SFP+ switches.  I've done this and I understand this.

Then there is a Fibre connection for storages.  I've seen 4GB card and 8GB card.  Questions at random order.  Please note, I am not talking about iSCSI.  I know these already.

1)  Can I mix and match and do they auto negotiate to the lowest common denominator?
2)  These cards are completely different animals to 10GB network cards, correct? 
3)  SFP+ plugin module, are they same and interchangeable between network and storage?
4)  Do storage type Fiber connection go through switches or is it always one-to-one?
5)  Will you please post one or two link to these storage connection adapters on eBay?
6)  Is there a quick way to know the speed?  How would one know without manuals, etc?

Thank you very much.

[ejeffrey]

1)  Can I mix and match and do they auto negotiate to the lowest common denominator?

Yes. Fibre channel supports auto negotiation.

2)  These cards are completely different animals to 10GB network cards, correct? 

Yes.  You need a fibre channel HBA instead of an Ethernet NIC.  Note that there is also the possibility of running fibre channel over ethernet (FCoE).  There are converged storage adapters that provide both network and storage over the same physical Ethernet network.

3)  SFP+ plugin module, are they same and interchangeable between network and storage?

Yes, both fibre channel and Ethernet use the same sfp modules.  I think SDI video needs special SFPs that go to lower frequency.

4)  Do storage type Fiber connection go through switches or is it always one-to-one?

There are fiber channel switches.

[tkamiya]

Thanks for that.  I really appreciate your response. 

[Halcyon]

Just keep in mind that fibre channel is different to (but mostly compatible with) Ethernet, but usually used for storage. When it comes to FC, they work the same way as Ethernet, in terms of negotiation and switching.