logy, espe- cially if it can be deployed over Ethernet (with its two standardized and available fast varieties- 1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet). Unlike the current SAN technologies, an Ethernet-based SAN operates under a well-known Transmission Control ProtocollInternet Protocol (TCP/IP) infra- structure. This technology has several advantages: Leveraging of the vast current investment in network infrastructure. Consolidation of the same hardware and software tools, techniques, and methods in managing the storage network as part of a global enterprise or organization network at a significantly lower cost of ownership. Leveraging of established technical skills of an IT organization, such as TCP/IP. Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website. STORAGE NETWORK PROCESSORS (SNPS) NETWORK PROCESSORS New arrivals in the IP storage era will not be accompanied by long learning curves for the people who must deploy the new technology within an organization as TCP/IP based tools and techniques are widely known and easily acquired. Established standards and protocols minimize the current SAN interoperability problems. IP-based SANs not only increase the management and support capabilities of centralized IT organ- izations, but they also enhance the usability of the storage resources within an organization. IP-based SANs can leverage the highly functional and widely accepted IP security technologies to provide an efficient, robust, and secure method to secure the transfer of data over the SAN as well. In order for this evolution to occur smoothly, several things must happen. Current products are mostly based on Fibre Channel. Organizations will not just rip apart multimillion-dollar invest- ments in order to accommodate the new trend, no matter how enticing it sounds. Therefore, a transition must occur that will require device compatibili