The network architecture on the IBM Flex System™ platform has been specifically designed to address network challenges, giving you a very scalable way to integrate, optimize & automate your data center. The IBM Flex System FC5022 2-port 16 Gb FC Adapter enables high-speed access for compute nodes to an external storage area network (SAN). This adapter is based on Brocade architecture, & offers end-to-end 16 Gb connectivity to SAN. It can auto-negotiate, & also work at 8 Gb & 4 Gb speeds. It has enhanced features like N_ Port trunking & N_ Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) as well as boot-from-the-SAN with automatic LUN discovery & end-to-end Server Application Optimization (SAO). The FC5022 adapter is designed to work best with the IBM Flex System FC5022 16 Gb SAN Scalable Switch & together, these deliver considerable value by simplifying the deployment of server & SAN resources, reducing infrastructure & operational costs, & maximizing server & SAN reliability, availability, & resiliency. Even with an 8 Gb Fibre Channel SAN fabric, having 16 Gb adapters & switches in the IBM Flex System means that you can eliminate any oversubscription from the SAN fabric to maximize application throughput. Having 16 Gb adapters & switches also offers future investment protection by enabling the density of virtual machines (VMs) to be increased on a compute node & by providing performance head room to support demanding solid-state drive storage technologies.