Is the Ethernet switch really complicated?

According to market requirements, Ethernet switch manufacturers have launched three-layer or even four-layer switches, which greatly facilitates the use and operation of some users. After reading this article, you must have gained a lot, I hope this article will teach you more things.

It establishes a network "structure" composed of a server (host) and a storage system ". Although simple, a vswitch is a seemingly complex system. It uses a combination of dedicated physical hardware and onboard logic to manage data exchange in real time with line speeds. Therefore, to ensure the reasonable cost of each port, the switch must be able to provide multi-performance, reliability, and management versatility.

In order to meet the requirements of more storage platforms or host servers in the network, the switch needs to be expanded or replaced on a regular basis. By upgrading a vswitch, you can achieve better performance (for example, faster interfaces), enhance the effectiveness of the network, limit network traffic, and provide intelligent functions, such as network virtualization.

The size of an Ethernet switch is generally measured by the limited number of ports. Therefore, you should know how many ports can be used and, if possible, how many ports can be added to your switch. The number of ports of switches produced by small or many medium-sized enterprises is fixed and cannot be expanded. Cisco products Catalyst Express 500 and QLogic Corp. SANbox 1400 belong to fixed ports.

When you need additional ports, you can simply purchase other switches and connect them together through the ISL. A vswitch, also known as a pilot-level switch produced by a large enterprise, provides better upgrade capabilities and provides up to hundreds of ports through standard component upgrade.

For example, Brocade Communications Systems Inc.'s 48000 pilot switch can be easily expanded to 384 ports through eight 48-port standard cards. Experts suggest that the fewer ports you use, the more switches you need.

Marshal Inc. "A company needs 100 ports, purchasing a single guide-level switch is better than buying three or more small switches and connecting them together. The performance of large switches is superior to that of small switches ."

In addition to the pure port quantity, professional storage personnel should also consider the port speed. A common optical fiber port with a speed of 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, and 4 Gbps. You can also find ports with a speed of up to 10 BBPS, but 10 Gbps ports are not backward compatible with low-speed ports.

Therefore, a 10 Gbps port is usually used to connect a data center switch to a optical switch. Unless otherwise required, you do not need to purchase a 10 Gbps port switch. The rate of the next-generation interface will be 8 Gbps, but it is not mature. "You can buy an 8 Gbit/s HBAs instead of a switch," Foskett said. "Eight Gbps technology has not yet been officially put into the market ."

Generally, the Ethernet switch provided by iSCSI SANs can provide 1 Gbps ports. Vswitches with 10 BBPS ports are relatively easy to obtain, but the number of 10 Gbps ports is actually limited. For example, a Cisco Catalyst 4948 10 GB Ethernet switch can only provide two 10 Gbps switching ports.

Today, the functions of Ethernet switches are more than just managing network communication. In large pilot switches, they already have features such as data transfer and storage virtualization. Such requirements for smart functions are the main reason for regular upgrades and replacements of switches. Storage administrators should consider smart functions and their roles in data centers.

For example, we may prove in the enterprise that the Brocade Mi10K guide can support VSAN. On the contrary, experts warned against purchasing unwanted features. This will not only waste money, but also make the switch unable to be fully used.

Emerging technological factors should also be included in your Upgrade Plan. To some extent, the FCoE connection affects the switch and host bus adapter. Therefore, a forklift upgrade is required. Therefore, some users may discard the switch upgrade or change.

Until there are FCoE-based Ethernet switches and storage systems available. "When EMC told me that I would use a completely different protocol within three years, do I need to invest in a 4 GB light channel SAN? Experts suggest standardizing a single switch vendor.

Full compatibility and security can be ensured between vswitches, especially when the vswitch has smart functions. "Having multiple vendors in your network structure will reduce your security," said Phil Goodwin of Diogenes Analytical manuatories Inc ." If you must use a vswitch provided by more than one supplier, you must thoroughly test compatibility and security.

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