DLC configuration example

A drawing that should help to explain how DLC is connected to the SAN.

DLC uses Ethernet to move data instead of Fibre Channel.

DLC pros:

• DLC license costs less.
• Ethernet components costs less.

DLC cons:

• Ethernet data rate is slower (assume using GigE) vs 8GB of FC.
• Requires another separate Ethernet network to support DLC (a separate switch or VLAN), cable run to support this DLC network to each station, additional NIC connect on each station.

• Require FC client to server as the DLC server.

The drawing:

• The top part is a traditional SAN using FC connections, no DLC.
• The bottom shows the traditional SAN plus DLC added (in green). One of the Fiber Client is designated as a DLC Server, it servers data to the DLCs with its FC connection to the SAN, it is like a gateway between FC and DLC (Ethernet).