10GBASE-T for Broad 10 Gigabit Adoption in the Data Center

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10GBASE-T for Broad 10 Gigabit Adoption in the Data Center
Data Center Network
Architecture Options for 10 GbE
The chart to the right lists the typical
data center network architectures ap-
plicable to the various 10 GbE technolo-
gies. The table clearly shows 10GBASE-
T technology provides greater design
exibility than its two copper counter-
parts.
The Future of 10GBASE-T
Intel sees broad deployment of 10
GbE in the form of 10GBASE-T. As
shown in the chart below, in 2010
ber represents 44% of the 10 GbE
physical media in data centers,but this
percentage with continue to drop to
approximately 12% by 2013. Direct-
attach connections will grow over the
next few years to 44% by 2013 with
large deployments in IP Data Centers
and for High Performance Computing.
10GBASE-T will grow from only 4% of
physical media in 2010 to 44% in 2013
and eventually becoming the predomi-
nate media choice.
10GBASE-T as LOM
Server OEMs will standardize on BASE-T
as the media of choice for broadly deploy-
ing 10 GbE for rack and tower servers.
10GBASE-T provides the most exibility in
performance and reach. OEMs can create
a single motherboard design to support
GbE, 10 GbE, and any distance up to 100
meters. 1GBASE-T is the incumbent in the
vast majority of data centers today, and
10GBASE-T is the natural next step.
Conclusion
Broad deployment on 10GBASE-T will sim-
plify data center infrastructures, making
it easier to manage server connectivity
while delivering the bandwidth needed for
heavily virtualized servers and I/O-inten-
sive applications. As volumes rise, prices
will continue to fall, and new silicon pro-
cesses have lowered power and thermal
values. These advances make 10GBASE-T
suitable for integration on server moth-
erboards. This level of integration, known
as LAN on Motherboard (LOM) will lead
to mainstream adoption of 10 GbE for all
server types in the data center.
10 GbE Technologies and Data Center Network Architectures
Technology
Data Center
Network
Architecture Connectivity
10GBASE-SR
(SFP+ Fiber)
• Top of Rack (ToR)
Uplinks from ToR switches to aggregation layer
switches
• Middle of Row (MoR)
Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to MoR
switches
• End of Row (EoR)
Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to EoR
switches
• Core network Backbone
10GBASE-SFP+ DAC
• Top of Rack
Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to ToR
switches
10GBASE-CX4
• Top of Rack
Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to ToR
switches
10GBASE-T
• Top of Rack
Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to ToR
switches
• Middle of Row
Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to MoR
switches
• End of Row
Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to EoR
switches