FCoE provides an opportunity to reduce data center costs by converging data and storage networking. Standard TCP/IP and Fibre Channel traffic can both run on the same high speed 10Gbps Ethernet wire, resulting in cost savings through reduced adapter, switch, cabling, power, cooling, and management requirements. FCoE has gained rapid market traction because it delivers excellent performance, reduces data center TCO, and protects current data center investment.
  

The QLE8042 reduces data center costs through convergence. Now, one CNA can do the work of a discrete FC Host Bus Adapter (HBA) and Ethernet NIC. This convergence also means fewer cables, fewer switches, less power consumption, reduced cooling, and easier management. The QLE8042 also preserves familiar FC concepts such as WWNs, FC-IDs, LUN masking, and zoning, thereby eliminating training costs that would be required for a new storage technology.
  

The QLE8042 and FCoE are designed to preserve existing investment in Fibre Channel storage and core Ethernet switches and routers for data networking. The QLE8042 leverages the same identical software and driver stacks that have been deployed and battle-hardened in millions of previous installations.