The discussion on which is the better choice, Fiber Channel (FC) or iSCSI, will get different answers from different people.

It is certainly an arguable case that Fiber Channel is more expensive, but the case can also be made that it has become less expensive over the years.

With the masses moving into the 10Gb iSCSI market, the cost differences is not so great anymore.

So is FC dead? It is probably as dead as the mainframe computer.

Many have predicted that mainframes will die over 20 years ago, but the mainframe is very much alive and thriving today. In fact, the server virtualization world like VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V and Citrix Xen hypervisors are foundationally based upon mainframe technologies.

FC has been and will remain a solid contender as a transport for data. It operates on a lower stack than iSCSI. From a foundational level, FC inherently has an advantage.

iSCSI has come a long way since it first came out. With many enhancements like Jumbo Frames, and DCB (Data Center Bridging) iSCSI is a formidable solution, even with the overhead of the IP stack. With 10Gb iSCSI going mainstream competing with 8Gb FC, the lines are blurred with differences in some pros and cons. Becoming more of an argument of preferences and what each establishment sees as an advantage.

So is FC going to die?
Not in the near future, for there are enough out there that are “old school” like me. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big proponent of iSCSI, but there are just some applications that I will reserve just for FC. With the next release of FC going to 16Gb and iSCSI going to 40Gb, knowing your application should determine your transport type.

Other than that, it’s really a question of, “Will it be Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Is Fiber Channel Dead?