The Fibre Channel Roadmap illustrates the physical layer of Fibre Channel.  The roadmap shows the historic speeds and feeds of Fibre Channel and the future speeds up to Terabit Fibre Channel (TFC).  The map also shows how Fibre Channel is used in data centers to create storage area networks.

The Fibre Channel Roadmap consists of:

  • A printed two-sided map that shows the speeds of Fibre Channel and Fibre Channel over Ethernet on the front side and Storage Area Networks on the backside. The printed map that will be given away at various Fibre Channel Industry Association events.

  • The map is available in pdf format that can be printed as a 24”x36” poster at any FedEx/Kinkos.  See front and back.

Fibre Channel Speedmap v24 (updated July, 2023)

PDF Version

Fibre Channel Speed Roadmap — FC
Product Naming Throughput
(Mbytes/s)*		 Line Rate
(GBaud)		 T11 Spec
Technically
Completed
(Years)‡		 Market
Availability
(Years)‡
8GFC 1600 8.5 NRZ 2006 2008
16GFC 3200 14.025 NRZ 2009 2011
32GFC 6400 28.05 NRZ 2013 2016
64GFC 12800 28.9 PAM-4 2017 2020
128GFC 24850 56.1 PAM-4 2022 2024
256GFC 49700 112.2 PAM-4 2025 Market Demand
512GFC TBD TBD 2029 Market Demand
1TFC TBD TBD 2033 Market Demand

“FC” used throughout all applications for Fibre Channel infrastructure and devices, including edge
and ISL interconnects. Each speed maintains backward compatibility at least two previous generations
(I.e., 32GFC backward compatible to 16GFC and 8GFC)

* These numbers are representative of throughput values for the line rate and are payload dependent.
‡ Dates: Future dates estimated

Fibre Channel Speed Roadmap — Inter-Switch Link
Product Naming Throughput
(Mbytes/s)*		 Line Rate
(Gbaud)†		 T11 Spec
Technically
Completed
(Years)‡**		 Market
Availability
(Year)‡
10GFC 2400 10.52 NRZ 2003 2009
128GFC 25600 4X28.05 NRZ 2014 2016
256GFC 51200 4X28.9 PAM-4 2018 2020

ISLs are usually multi-lane interconnects used for non-edge, core connections, and other high speed applications demanding maximum bandwidth.
ISL’s utilize high bit-rates to accommodate the funneling of edge connections. Some ISL solutions are vendor-proprietary.
*These numbers are representative throughput values for the line rate and are payload dependent.
† Equivalent Line Rate: Rates listed are equivalent data rates for serial stream methodologies.
‡ Dates: Future dates estimated
**FCoE standard completion date is the completion of the Ethernet standard

Road Map Front

Road Map Back