Comprehensive security : The IBM Storage Networking c-type Family devices supports services  including VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning, ACLs, per-VSAN role-based access control (RBAC), and TrustSec Fibre Channel link encryption. The comprehensive security framework consists of RADIUS and TACACS+, FC-SP, SFTP, SSH Protocol, and SNMPv3. The TrustSec Fibre Channel link encryption delivers transparent, hardware-based 32-Gbps line-rate AES 128-bit encryption of Fibre Channel data on 32-Gbps Fibre Channel switching modules. 

Resilient high-performance ISLs: The IBM Storage Networking c-type Family 32-Gbps Fibre Channel  switching modules support high-performance ISLs consisting of 32-Gbps secure Fibre Channel. Fibre Channel switching modules also support port-channel technology for additional scalability and resilience. Administrators can group up to 16 links spanning any port on any module in a chassis into a logical link. 

Administrators can also allocate up to 8191 buffer-to-buffer credits to a single Fibre Channel port, providing industry-leading extension of storage networks to up to 4,000 kilometers at 4 Gbps, 2,000 kilometers at 8 Gbps, 1,000 kilometers at 16 Gbps, and 500 kilometers at 32 Gbps, while maintaining full link utilization. The IBM Storage Networking c-type Family switch architecture helps ensure that frames are never reordered within a switch, leading to optimal application performance because end devices never have to use resources to reorder the frames. 

Sophisticated diagnostics : The 48-Port 32-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module provides intelligent  diagnostics, protocol decoding, E-port diagnostics, and network analysis tools along with an integrated Call Home capability for greater reliability, faster problem resolution, and reduced service costs. 

Compatibility: The 48-Port 32-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module can co-exist with  previous-generation supported modules on the IBM Storage Networking c-type Family director. 

Investment protection: The 48-Port 32-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module can easily be inserted  into existing IBM Storage Networking c-type Family directors without any impact on operations. 

## Main benefits 

The 48-Port 32-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module offers the following benefits: 

Lower TCO with SAN consolidation: With the exponential growth of data in today's business  environment, organizations need to deploy large-scale SANs in the most efficient and cost-effective ways. To meet scalability requirements while managing TCO, the IBM Storage Networking c-type Family directors offer the following features: 

Industry-leading port density of line-rate 32-Gbps Fibre Channel ports per chassis o 

1.5-Tbps Fibre Channel performance per slot o 

Up to 48-Tbps front-panel Fibre Channel line-rate, non-blocking, system-level switching o 

Exceptional capabilities with intelligent fabric services o 

VSANs for consolidating individual physical SAN islands while maintaining logical boundaries o 

IVR for sharing resources across VSANs o 

Built-in network processing unit for inline analytics o 

