Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
enforcement, which are critical for virtualized data centers. Here are the three main
components of Cisco Data Center 3.0 architecture:
Virtualization
■
Key
To p i c
Virtual local-area network (VLAN), virtual storage-area network (VSAN), and vir-
tual device contexts (VDC) help to segment the LAN, SAN, and network devices
instances.
■
Cisco Nexus 1000V virtual switch for VMware ESX and ESXi help to deliver visi-
bility and policy control for virtual machines (VM).
■
Flexible networking options with support for all server form factors and vendors,
including support for blade servers from Cisco, Dell, IBM, and HP with integrat-
ed Ethernet and Fibre Channel switches.
■
Unified fabric
■
Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and Internet Small Computer Systems
Interface (iSCSI) are two methods for implementing unified fabric in the data cen-
ter over 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks.
■
FCoE is supported on VMware ESX/ESXi vSphere 4.0 and later.
■
The Cisco Catalyst, Cisco Nexus, and Cisco MDS family of switches all support
iSCSI. The Cisco Nexus 5000 support unified fabric lossless operation, which
improves the performance of iSCSI traffic using 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
■
The Cisco Nexus family of switches was designed to support unified fabric.
Currently, the Cisco Nexus 5000 and the Nexus 4000 supports data center bridg-
ing (DCB) and FCoE. However, there are future plans for the Cisco Nexus 7000
series and the Cisco MDS family of switches to support FCoE, as well.
■
Converged network adapters (CNA) run at 10GE and support FCoE. CNAs are
available from both Emulex and QLogic. Additionally, a software stack is available
for cer tain 10GE net work interface s from Intel.
■
Unified computing
■
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is an innovative next-generation data cen-
ter platform that converges computing, network, storage, and virtualization
together into one system.
■
Integrates lossless 10GE unified network fabric with x86 architecture-based
servers.
■
Allows for Cisco Virtual Interface Card to virtualize your network interfaces on
your server.
■
Offers Cisco VN-Link virtualization.
■
Supports Extended Memory Technology patented by Cisco.
■
Increases productivity with just-in-time provisioning using service profiles.
■
