Software FCoE Adapter

Like Software base iSCSI initiator, VMware had introduce Software FCoE in vSphere 5.0, To use software FCoE initiator, we must have a NIC that supports the FCoE offloads (Intel X520), if we have a NIC that support FCoE offloads, we can add software FCoE initiator.

1. Create a VMkernel port, when prompted for VLAN ID. (Note the VLAN ID for FCoE traffic). Assign an IP address to VMkernel port. Associate the physical NIC that is physically connected to SAN topology.
2. Add software FCoE initiator and select the appropriate physical uplink.

Now we will have Software FCoE adapter in the list of Storage Adapters

For software FCoE adapter, we will see a node WWN and a port WWN listed. We will use these values in creating the zoning or masking. Then the LUNs from the SAN will be visible to our ESXi server.