DATA

CENTER
NETWORK
S
PRESENTED BY:

GAYNANDANG, BAIMONA
BSIT-31

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

WHAT IS DATA
CENTER NETWORKS?

 "Data Center Networks (DCN) are crucial infrastructures that

facilitate the efficient flow of data within a centralized facility. They
form the backbone of modern computing, supporting a wide range of
services, including cloud computing, big data processing, and internet-
based applications.“

• Importance in the Digital Age:

• "In today's digital landscape, where data is the lifeblood of
businesses and services, Data Center Networks play a
pivotal role in ensuring seamless communication and data
exchange. They serve as the nerve center for organizations,
connecting servers, storage devices, and networking
equipment."

• Role in Supporting Technologies:

• "Data Center Networks are instrumental in supporting
technologies such as cloud computing, where vast amounts
of data are stored and processed remotely. Additionally, they
play a key role in enabling the functionalities of big data
analytics, internet services, and other mission-critical
applications."

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

Components of Data center networks
Key components:
•Servers
•Storage Systems
•Network Devices (Switches, Routers)
Internet •Cabling Infrastructure

Border router
Load Load
balancer Access router
balancer

Tier-1 switches
B

A C Tier-2 switches

TOR switches

Server racks

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TYPES OF DATA
CENTER NETWORKS

Traditional/Hierarchical Data Center Network:

Features a three-tier architecture: Core,
Distribution, and Access layers.
Provides a structured and scalable design.
Typically used in large enterprises.
Leaf-Spine Architecture:
Also known as Clos network.
Consists of two layers: Leaf and Spine.
Offers high bandwidth and low latency, suitable
for modern data centers.
Fat-Tree Network:
1. Utilizes a full mesh of interconnected
switches.
2. Provides redundancy and high throughput.
3. Commonly used for large-scale data centers.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN):
4. Separates the control plane from the data
plane.
5. Allows for centralized network management
and programmability.
6. Enhances flexibility and adaptability.

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

PURPOSE OF DATA
CENTER NETWORKS

•Handle and manage large

volumes of data
•Support applications and
services
•Ensure high availability and
reliability

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

Data center networks
 rich interconnection among switches, racks:
 increased throughput between racks (multiple routing paths
possible)
 increased reliability via redundancy

Tier-1
switches
Tier-2
switches
TOR
switches
Server racks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

7 BROAD QUESTIONS

• How are massive numbers of commodity machines

networked inside a data center?
• Virtualization: How to effectively manage physical machine
resources across client virtual machines?
• Operational costs:
• Server equipment
• Power and cooling

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST • School of Computer Science

8

Source: NRDC
UNIVERSITY OF research paperAMHERST •
MASSACHUSETTS School of Computer Science
Data center networks
 rich interconnection among switches, racks:
 increased throughput between racks (multiple routing paths
possible)
 increased reliability via redundancy

Tier-1 switches

Tier-2 switches

TOR switches

Server racks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8