Data Center Architecture with Panduit, Intel, and Cisco

10
AN-02
Benefits of 10GBASE-T Structured Cabling
Most data centers currently use structured cabling because it provides an efficient and cost effective solution for managing
cabling while providing multiple rerouting points to handle changes or replacement in cases of equipment failure. In the EoR
and MoR architectures, Panduit
®
TX6A
™
10Gig
™
Patch Cords connect the Intel Ethernet Server Adapters to Category 6A
patch panels at the top of the cabinet. The patch cords are cable assemblies made with Category 6A cabling and a male
plug on each end. The patch panels, such as the Panduit
®
QuickNet
™
or DP6A
™
10 Gig
™
Patch Panels, come with 24, 32, or
48 10 GbE ports to match the number of servers and are used as a connection point in the cabinet to make routing changes
quick and simple. Category 6A cable terminated with Category 6A jack modules on both ends connects the patch panel in
the server cabinet to the patch field in the switch cabinet. This cable assembly is called horizontal cabling or “permanent
length” and has a maximum reach of 90 meters in a 10GBASE-T network. The maximum 10GBASE-T channel length of 100
meters is obtained by adding up to 10 meters of Category 6A patch cords. The horizontal cable can be terminated during
installation if precise lengths are needed or come as a pre-terminated cable assembly such as Panduit’s QuickNet
™
Cabling
System. The patch panel in the switch cabinet is then connected to the Cisco Nexus 2232TM fabric extender via another
Category 6A patch cord.
1
1
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
2
2
2 2 2
4 4 4
1
3
2
4
5
6
5
5
6
6
Nexus 2232TM Fabric Extenders located in switch cabinets in the middle of the row
Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X520-T2 located in each server
Panduit
®
TX6A
™
or TX6A-SD
™
10Gig
™
Patch Cords connect Intel Intel Ethernet Server Adapter X520-T2 and
Nexus 2232TM to Panduit patch panels at the top of each rack
Panduit
®
TX6A
™
or TX6A-SD
™
10Gig
™
Cable and Jack Modules or QuickNet
™
Pre-terminated Cable
Assemblies connect the patch panels in server cabinet to patch panels in switch cabinet
Nexus 5000 switches located in switch cabinets in the middle of the row
Panduit SFP+ Passive Direct Attach Copper Cable Assemblies connect Nexus 2232TM to Nexus 5000
MoR Architecture
Panduit
®
QuickNet
™
OM3/OM4 Fiber Uplinks
to Cisco Nexus 7000
Panduit Category 6A
QuickNet
™
Patch Panels
Panduit
®
TX6A
™
10Gig
™
Patch Cords
Panduit SFP+DAC
Intel Ethernet Server
Adapter X520-T2
Cisco Nexus 5548UP
Cisco Nexus 2232TM
Panduit Category 6A
QuickNet
™
Cable Assembly