Converged networks are being pushed on CIOs and other high-level IT managers by network and storage equipment providers such as , QLogic, NetApp, and many others as the solution to bandwidth and data management issues.

Just install a 10Gbit Ethernet multi-protocol switch and multi-protocol network adapter cards capable of handing Fibre Channel over Ethernet or iSCSI and tah-dah, problems solved! Well, not quite.

While most end users might admit converging LAN and SAN traffic over a single network is attractive, a majority would also likely say there's quite a bit of angst associated the possibility of data loss or availability.

The subject of network convergence also exposes some pretty raw nerves between network and storage admins.

"You guys are pressing way too hard," one audience member told a group of vendors at the panel discussion on converged networks. "I can't stand vendors coming up my boss's butt with new technology. We've seen new things come and go. You guys were here five years ago with iSCSI."