Data center bridging network configuration and management

An information handling system (IHS) network, comprising:

• a plurality of flow-based switch IHSs and a non-flow-based switch IHS that are connected together to provide a IHS network;
• and
• a management IHS coupled to each of the plurality of flow-based switch IHSs through a management network, wherein the management IHS is configured to identify a plurality of data traffic flows and, for each identified data traffic flow, to:
• determine a flow path through the IHS network, wherein the flow path includes at least some of the plurality of flow-based switch IHSs and the non-flow-based switch IHS;
• and
• provide configuration information to each of the flow-based switch IHSs included in the flow path such that a quality of service (QoS) is provided for the identified data traffic flow along the flow path through the IHS network according to the configuration information;
• wherein a first flow-based switch IHS in the flow path is configured to tag packets in the identified data traffic flow that are sent directly to the non-flow-based switch to indicate the QoS to be provided for the identified data traffic flow;
• and
• wherein a second flow-based switch IHS in the first flow path is configured to untag packets in the identified data traffic flow that are received directly from the non-flow-based switch.

A method for providing a Data Center Bridging (DCB) Information Handling System (IHS) network, comprising:

• detecting, by a management IHS, a plurality of flow-based switch IHSs and a non-flow-based switch IHS that are connected together to provide an IHS network;
• identifying, by the management IHS, a plurality of data traffic flows, and for each identified data traffic flow:
• determining, by the management IHS, a flow path through the IHS network for the identified data traffic flow, wherein the flow path includes at least some of the plurality of flow-based switch IHSs;
• and
• providing, by the management IHS, a configuration information to each of the flow-based switch IHSs included in the flow path such that a quality of service (QoS) is provided for the identified data traffic flow along the flow path through the IHS network according to the configuration information;
• tagging, by a first flow-based switch IHS in the flow path, packets in the identified data traffic flow that are sent directly to the non-flow-based switch to indicate the QoS to be provided for the identified data traffic flow;
• and
• untagging, by a second flow-based switch IHS in the flow path, packets in the identified data traffic flow that are received directly from the non-flow-based switch.