Paper Title: Ethernet Is the Obvious Way to Network Flash Storage

Paper Abstract: When you think of computer networking, which protocol comes to mind first? Obviously, Ethernet! So why not use it to share storage among multiple compute nodes, allowing them to maximize utilization and perform system-wide operations such as clustering and failover. Ethernet is surely the most widely used, most commonly supported, and most familiar solution. If an application (such as high-performance computing, video transmission, or financial transactions) needs higher throughput or lower latency than common versions offer, higher-speed versions are available, as are low-latency extensions such as Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) and iSCSI Extensions for RDMA (iSER). Designers must consider many issues, including their familiarity with particular approaches, existing uses, latency and performance requirements, scalability, and ecosystem (including management tools).

Paper Author: J Metz, Office of the CTO/Board Member, Cisco Systems

Author Bio: J Metz is currently an R&D Engineer for the Office of the CTO in Cisco’s Compute and Server Group, where he focuses on directions for storage strategy. He is an award-winning public speaker, author, and contributor to industry trade publications, blogs, webinars, and conferences. He has been a leader in developing industry standards, with membership on the Board of Directors for the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA), Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), and the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Promoter’s Board. J has previous experience with QLogic and Apple. He earned his PhD from the University of Georgia. J has been a speaker, panelist, and chairperson in well-received sessions at several past Flash Memory Summits.