Data Center Architecture with Panduit, Intel, and Cisco

2
AN-02
Introduction
Modern data centers face a wide array of challenges that threaten the integrity of mission critical business
applications. These data centers are now stretched to capacity in terms of power, cooling, and floor space. Increasing
use of server consolidation, unified networking and virtualization technologies offer cost savings, improved
performance, and reliability, but are driving unprecedented demand for network I/O. While Gigabit Ethernet (GbE)
connections might be adequate to handle the bandwidth requirements of a single physical server, they do not have
adequate bandwidth for multiple virtual servers and multiple traffic types during peak periods. The practice of adding
additional GbE ports to servers can help with bandwidth, but the additional complexity, cost and administrative
overhead is not sustainable. In addition, load-balancing traffic among multiple GbE links might lead to asymmetric
usage of links contributing to system inefficiencies.
This is why today’s IT executives and network administrators look to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) as the right solution
to meet their escalating I/O requirements and help simplify their networks. While there are several methods for
achieving a 10 GbE network, what is needed is a cost effective technology that allows broad deployment of 10 GbE to
every rack and tower in the data center and backward compatibility with existing equipment. This application note
examines 10GBASE-T, one of the most promising solutions for 10 GbE networks, and some of the new products for
implementing it.
10GBASE-T
10GBASE-T is the most recent version of the BASE-T (commonly called Twisted Pair Ethernet) networking standard. It
uses Category 6A or higher balanced twisted pair copper cabling for a maximum reach of 100 meters (328 feet). As
defined by IEEE 802.3an, 10GBASE-T uses the same RJ45 connector interface found in most networks today.
Preferred because of its low cost and flexibility, BASE-T networking has been the cabling infrastructure of choice in
data centers for the past 25 years.
An end-to-end 10GBASE-T infrastructure is able to support the considerable I/O demands of virtualized servers and I/O
intensive applications while providing high availability, agility, and security for the data center. Further, 10GBASE-T
allows for auto-negotiation, enabling equipment to work with previous generations of BASE-T Ethernet. This backward
compatibility facilitates seamless migration from GbE to 10 GbE, allowing for phased upgrades as desired.