FCOE Configuration on VM Ware

A Hardware HBA it's all done in hardware, a software device is a device which is drive by a driver, and the overhead of the encoding and decoding is done by the host CPU.

You can think of it as a hardware device as the host offloads all the decoding and encoding to the hardware HBA.

Many Vendors, have a "network interface" which has multiple functions.

The Procedure is similar, more configuration to do with software, than hardware.

That device looks like a normal network interface, which HPE claims has offload features for iSCSI and FCoE.

So that's more of a hybrid device, it's not a dedicated iSCSI HBA or FCoE HBA (hardware), it's software/hardware.

Dear Mr. Andrew,

Thank you for the quick reply,
I have confused. I have the below scenario, Can you please suggest to me which method I will go with ( hardware FCoE or software FCoE)

1. ProLiant DL380 Gen10(One 10g nic dedicated for FCoE) 
2. Cisco Nexus N9K-C93180YC-FX  
3 .Netapp Storage 
4. ESXi 6.7

Well the first thing you need to check is what does your NetApp storage support ?

or WHAT storage protocol are you going to use ?

we are going to use FCoE and netapp is support FCoE

There is your answer then.

I would test them both for performance, also check with the vendor what they recommend also.

ok if I am going with FCoE Hardware adapter , what is the configuration on Esxi, is it required to create storage adapter or it will create automatically

see here

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2034702

Hi Andrew,
thank you for Sharing article but it is mentioned fcoe software adapter configuration

You should already see these FCoE (hardware) adaptor as a HBA in ESXi.

All the configuration for this is done outside of ESXi in the HBA "BIOS".

see here for NetApp

https://docs.netapp.com/ontap-9/topic/com.netapp.doc.exp-fc-esx-cpg/FC%20express%20configuration%20for%20ESXi%20using%20VSC.pdf

Hi Andrew,
this article for FC , not for FCoE

please find the below comment from link

 You are using traditional FC HBAs on ESXi 5.x and traditional FC switches. This guide does not cover FCoE.
• You have at least two FC target ports available

Have you configured and connected the NetApp ?

No, I want to configure FCoe. First I need to confirm procedure .
please find the below procedure for adding FCOE

FCoE Software Adapter Procedure:
1. Create Vkernal Switch with FCoe Adapter
2. Add software fcoe storage adapte
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.storage.doc/GUID-BB9A9192-636F-4EED-AC17-85653BEA6887.html
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.storage.doc/GUID-433F1C15-5E57-406C-9CDA-65E77B29D87D.html

FCoE Haradware Adapter Procedure: ( I am confusing here what is the procedure I want to follow)
1. ? 
2. ?

Please screenshot storage devices in ESXi, to check FCoE adaptors are listed.

You need to configure the Hardware FCoE in ESXi as Page 10 in the HP Guide.

You *MUST* ensure you are using the OEM HP ESXi version of ESXi, and you may be required to download additional drivers for these nics/FCoE cards.

i have found an article for FCoE. Thank you for your valuable suggestions.
https://support.huawei.com/enterprise/en/doc/EDOC1000167143/fc918971/configuring-fcoe-for-the-mz522-in-vmware-esxi 

I was going to list the commands for you, if you get stuck come back.

Sure, Thank you...