Extreme Networks White Paper

Simplifying the Data Center Architecture: Reducing Network Tiers with MRJ21 Based Technology

Abstract: Adoption of newer technologies such as blade servers and server virtualization are changing the way data center networks are built. In many cases these technologies, despite delivering impressive efficiencies on the server side, are resulting in more complex network designs. This white paper explores the impact of the growing number of network tiers in the data center that arise due to the adoption of blade server technology, and outlines one approach to simplify and optimize the network architecture while still realizing the benefits of blade servers.

2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce.

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Overview
Server virtualization and blade servers are driving consolidation in todays data centers. With server virtualization technology, multiple server instances can be consolidated onto a single server in the form of Virtual Machines (VMs). The VMs on a single server communicate with each other through a virtual switch (vSwitch). The virtual switch is a piece of software running in the virtualization layer on the server (also called the hypervisor) and functions as a software Layer 2 switch. Blade server technology allows packing a tremendous amount of computational power in a very compact form factor. A blade server enclosure can pack up to 8, 16 or 32 blade servers in a single chassis enclosure. Each blade server can have multiple Ethernet ports, for example one or two dedicated ports for LAN traffic, a port for management, and a port for supporting virtual machine mobility. Each of these ports connects in to the backplane of the blade chassis enclosure and is brought to the front panel using either a blade switch or a pass-through module. The pass-through module simply passes through each connection from every server out to the front panel for connectivity to the external network. This can lead to a cabling challenge. For example with 4 Ethernet ports per blade server, and up to 16 servers in the blade chassis, up to 64 Ethernet cables can be required for each blade chassis. With two or more blade chassis per rack, the number of cables quickly becomes unmanageable. The blade switch module on the other hand does local switching of traffic between servers within a blade chassis, and provides a smaller set of uplink ports for connectivity to the external network thus significantly simplifying the cabling challenge. As a result the blade switch is gaining in popularity as an efficient cabling solution for blade servers. Multiple blade switches can be inserted into a single blade chassis for the purpose of redundancy. Both the virtual switch described above and the blade switch, are technologies that have been driven from the server side of the data center. However, their impact to the network is significant and often overlooked. While traditionally, larger data centers would have a 3 tier network i.e. Core, Aggregation and Access tiers (the Access tier is typically a Top-of-Rack or TOR switch), the addition of the blade switch tier and the virtual switch tier leads to a 5 tier network. See figure 1. The addition of these switching tiers results in several issues. 1. Each tier in this network typically leads to increased end-to-end latency. In an environment where applications in various industries such as (but not limited to) finance, video and content delivery, and HPC, demand increasingly lower latencies, adding tiers to the data center network can adversely impact the application performance by increasing latency across the network. 2. Each tier can typically add oversubscription in the network. Oversubscription ratios of 2:1 or 3:1 are common at each tier but could be higher depending on the type of switches used. This applies to both network switches as well as blade switches. While increasing virtualization is driving greater and greater throughput demands right down to the edge of the data center (more VMs on a server pushing more traffic out the server) the increasing oversubscription due to the increasing number of network tiers can lead to sub-optimal performance due to increasing choke points or bottlenecks in the network. 3. Each tier adds management overhead and troubleshooting complexity since each switch has to be configured, monitored, maintained and updated with the latest software updates. 4. Finally, each tier also adds to overall cost of the network. Clearly, a different approach to the data center network architecture is needed in order to take advantage of the benefits of the blade server technology and server virtualization while addressing some of the issues described above. One such approach is outlined below.

5-Tiers of Switches
Typical 5-tier data center design to connect 576 Blade Servers Core (Tier 1)

Aggregation (Tier 2)

Top-of-Rack (Tier 3) Blade Servers Blade Switches (Tier 4)

42U 19 Rack

Virtual Switch (Tier 5) 12 racks

3 Blade Enclosures per rack with 14-16 Blade Servers each

5395L-01

Figure 1

2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reducing Network Tiers with MRJ21 Based Technology2

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Reducing Network Tiers with the Direct-Attach Architecture

The direct-attach architecture is based on the premise of connecting blade servers (but more generally any server) directly into a very high density aggregation switch, bypassing both the blade switch and the TOR or access switch. There are two main components to this solution: 1. Very high density network aggregation switches modules such as the BlackDiamond 8900-G96T-c modules which provide 96 Ethernet ports on a single I/O switch module. Since access and aggregation tiers are typically added to the network to increase fan out, these high density modules in a chassis form factor reduce the need for having both an access and an aggregation tier in the network. The high density is supported on the BlackDiamond 8900 series modules by a high capacity switch fabric and an overall switching capacity of just under 4 Tbs. 2. Cabling technology such as the MRJ21 cable from Tyco which consolidates six Ethernet cables and connectors into one. The MRJ21 cable comes in different flavors. One such variant (octopus cable) uses 6 RJ-45 connectors on one end and an MRJ21 connector at the other end. Another variant uses MRJ21 connectors at both ends. See figure 2 below. By combining or aggregating six Ethernet cables into one, the MRJ21 cable provides significant cabling simplification.

As mentioned earlier, blade servers can be connected to the external network through a pass-through module. However, as described above, the pass-through module can lead to significant cabling challenges. By using MRJ21 cables, six ports on the pass-through module can be connected to the external network via a single cable. This reduces cabling complexity significantly by achieving a 6:1 cable reduction. In effect, the pass-through module in conjunction with the MRJ21 cables now provides a viable alternative to the blade switch and can in fact, replace the blade switch thus eliminating one tier of switching from the network. The MRJ21 technology also allows very high density network switches to be built. By using MRJ21 connectors instead of RJ-45 connectors, very high density fan out can be achieved on network switches. For example the Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 8900-G96T-c switch blade for the BlackDiamond 8810 chassis uses 16 MRJ21 connectors on a single I/O blade to achieve a fan out of 96 Ethernet ports on a single blade. Up to eight of these blades can be stuffed into the chassis providing connectivity for up to 784 GbE ports within a single chassis. See figure 3 below.

Figure 2. MRJ21 Cables

Figure 3. BlackDiamond 8900-series Module with MRJ21 Connector

2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

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By using MRJ21 cables to connect ports from the passthrough module of the blade chassis, directly into these high density network switch modules, the TOR or access switch layer can also be eliminated since the high density switch blades on the chassis provide the adequate fan out needed for such high density deployments. In effect, the servers become directly attached to the aggregation switch tier thereby eliminating both the blade switch tier and the TOR or access switch tier. See figure 4 below. The advantages of this architecture are many 1. Overall network latency is improved by eliminating two active switching tiers in the network. 2. Oversubscription within the network is significantly reduced since both the TOR or access switch and the blade switch tiers added oversubscription to the network. 3. Power consumption in the network is reduced as well by eliminating two switching tiers. 4. Management complexity is reduced. 5. The overall solution cost is reduced. In effect, deploying the direct-attach architecture enables the data center to take advantage of newer server technologies while reducing inefficiencies in the network.

Extreme Networks Direct-Attach Architecture 3-Tiers of Switches

Extreme Networks 3-tier data center design to connect 576 Blade Servers Core (Tier 1) End-of-Row Chassis (Tier 2) BlackDiamond 8810s

Passive Patch Panels

42U 19 Rack

Blade Servers

Virtual Switch (Tier 3)

12 racks

3 Blade Enclosures per rack with 14-16 Blade Servers each

5395R-01

Figure 4

2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reducing Network Tiers with MRJ21 Based Technology4

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Design Flexibility
The new direct-attach design is very flexible in how it can be deployed.
Scenario 1: MRJ21 cabling is run from the BlackDiamond 8900-G96T-c modules to a MRJ21 patch panel at the top of each server rack. The patch panel breaks out the connections from the MRJ21 connectors to RJ-45 connectors which are then wired down the rack to the appropriate servers. The MRJ21 patch panel is a passive network element and does not require management, nor does it impose any oversubscription or additional measurable latency in the network. Scenario 2: MRJ21 cabling is run directly from the server or pass-through module via the octopus cable to the high density aggregation Ethernet switch module such as the BlackDiamond 8900-G96T-c. In this deployment, no patch panel or break outs are used.

Scenario 1: Patch Panel

Scenario 2: Octopus Cable

Summary
Adoption of newer server technologies such as blade servers and virtualization in the data center are driving complex and inefficient network architectures. By taking a holistic view of the network, newer architectures can be implemented that can both simplify the network and make it more efficient. The direct-attach architecture, utilizing high density modules in the aggregation switch, along with unique cabling solutions, eliminates multiple switching tiers within the network. This leads to reduced end-to-end latency, reduced oversubscription in the network, better power efficiencies, and reduced cost. The Extreme Networks BlackDiaond 8900-G96T-c modules in conjunction with MRJ21 cable technology form Tyco offer a comprehensive solution for implementing the direct-attach architecture in data centers.

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2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Networks, the Extreme Networks logo and BlackDiamond are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the trademarks of their respective owners. Specifications are subject to change without notice. 1619_03 02/10