• August 2008 FEATURE ARTICLES •
Special Section
Hardware
Routers, switches, servers ... the nuts and bolts of every data center — regardless of architecture complexity —
it all begins here. This quarter’s Hardware section features infrastructure solutions from several of the key players.
High Availability Server
The Fujitsu PRIMEQUEST 580 server offers mission-critical capability for hosting Microsoft Windows Server (Enterprise Edition and Data Center Edition), Red Hat Advanced Server or Novell SUSE Enterprise Linux 64-bit operations, and incorporates numerous redundant and hot-plug components for system availability. Its System Mirror mode offers no single point of failure in the crossbars and memory, providing fault immunity for hosted application services. All main components are hot-swappable, and component replacement can be performed without an application halt. Additional priority features of the PRIMEQUEST 580 include up to 64 processors (on 32 Intel Itanium 2 dual-core sockets), 17.3 Gbps bidirectional, per-system board crossbar performance and 136.5 Gbps sustained, low-latency system bandwidth. The server has a maximum memory of 2 TB, supports up to 16 partitions and offers flexible I/O for balanced system configuration and optimized application performance.
Fujitsu Computer Systems Corp., Sunnyvale, Calif.
Comprehensive Branch Solution
The Citrix Branch Repeater is a comprehensive branch
solution that can optimize application delivery from the Citrix Delivery Center and beyond, while simultaneously providing key native Windows branch infrastructure services. Paired with Citrix WANScaler appliances in the data center, the repeater can optimize the staging of application data and speed dynamic data over the WAN. By staging (pre-positioning) applications streamed from Citrix XenApp in the branch, the branch repeater speeds application installation and maintenance. The device can also cache Web content with optional
Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server to reduce page load times for branch users. WAN optimization
technology integrated into the repeater minimizes latency and maximizes capacity. It also automates all WAN acceleration mechanisms based on real-time application traffic and network conditions without complex manual or static configuration.
Citrix Systems Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Modular, Intelligent Architecture Router
The Cisco 12000 Series routers provide the IT/IS department the ability to rapidly deploy new services that can generate new revenue — and reduce capital and operating expenses. The flexibility to scale the 12000 Series from 2.5 Gbps to n x 10 Gbps capacity-per-slot enables carrier-class IP/MPLS networks, while protecting investments in chassis and line cards. Priority features include: Cisco I-Flex design, a portfolio of shared port adapters (SPA) and SPA interface processors that prioritize voice, video and data services to meet an organization’s diverse service needs and stringent service-level requirements; advanced silicon and software technologies for high standards of routing performance and quality of service;
comprehensive high-availability support to help avoid planned and unplanned network downtime; an integrated core and edge feature set that supports a wide range of business services; fully upgradable modular switch fabric; and, Cisco IOS XR software upgrade capability to protect investments and reduce total cost of ownership.
Cisco Systems, San Jose, Calif.
Non-stop Architecture
Utilizing Intel processors and a performance-oriented architecture that runs relational database and transaction processing software, the HP
Integrity NonStop NB50000c BladeSystem utilizes a number of standards-based, modular HP BladeSystem components including: the Integrity server blade (a full-height blade server featuring Intel Itanium 9100 series dual-core 1.66GHz processors, supporting up to 48GB of memory (12 DIMM slots) and fortified with the ServerNet fault tolerant server area networking interconnect); the c-Class enclosure (modified to provide the power, cooling and I/O infrastructure needed to support modular, server, interconnect and storage components) which, at 10U high, is capable of holding up to eight Integrity server blades); and, HP BladeSystem manageability software (HP Systems Insight Manager, Integrity Lights Out 2 Advanced Pack, and Onboard Administrator). Migrating applications running on the previous generation of the NonStop platform from existing rack-mount servers to the NB50000c requires upgrading rack-mount processor components with a BladeSystem chassis and
components, and installation of the new NonStop J-series operating system and J-series release infrastructure software. The NB50000c supports existing modular I/O subsystems such as IOAME, FCDM, FCSA, and G4SA.
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif.
Manageable Blade Server
The Dell PowerEdge M600 is a two-socket blade server that offers up to two Dual-Core or Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5000 Sequence processors, an Intel 5000P chipset, and memory support of up to 8 x FB-DIMMs (667MHz). Supported operating systems include Mircosoft Windows Server 2003 R2 (Standard and Enterprise Edition), Red Hat Linux, and VMware ESX 3.5. Processor options range from the 5130 processor (2.0 GHz, a 1333MHz front side bus, and a 2x2MB cache), to the 5400 series processors with up to 3.16GHz, a 1333MHz front side bus, and a 2x6MB cache. Additional features include: a maximum internal storage of up to 300GB (two 146GB hot-plug SAS), two USB 2.0 bootable ports on the front panel for floppy, CD/DVD, memory key, keyboard or mouse, and, an embedded ATI RN50 video controller with 32MB memory. Pair with the Dell M1000e modular blade enclosure for an optimized blade solution, making the installation of an additional server as simple as sliding in a new blade and powering it up. Dell OpenManage Software tools, integrated Dell remote access controller and IPMI 2.0 support also come standard.
Dell Inc., Roundrock, Texas.
Optimized OSM
The 3Com Switch 5500G Open Services Module (OSM) provides up to 56 gigabit layer 2/3/4 switched ports per switch and up to 448 gigabit ports per stack. The OSM is equipped with four dual-purpose ports on each switch providing either 10/100/1000 or small form-factor pluggable (SFP) fast/gigabit Ethernet connectivity. In addition, the 5500G: offers optional 1- and 2-port 10-Gigabit and 8-port SFP Gigabit modules for links to the network core; can be stacked eight units high and managed as a single-IP entity; delivers wirespeed and line-rate performance on all ports; and, offers OSPF and multicast routing, 3Com XRN stacking technology, and IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet. The module prioritizes converged network traffic with advanced CoS/QoS and other features to ensure high levels of service for latency-sensitive applications, consolidates administrative control, and enhances core-to-edge visibility with an operating system shared with 3Com modular switches and routers.
3Com Corp., Marlborough, Mass.
Chassis-based Switch
The Force10 Networks C-Series Switches deliver reliability, network control and scalability for high performance Ethernet environments and high-density gigabit Ethernet (GbE)
aggregation for distribution into a multiple Gbps or 10 GbE backbone. Key features of the C-Series Switches include: up to 384 line-rate 10/100/1000Base-T ports with full 15.4W Class 3 PoE support in a 13-RU chassis; up to 64 line-rate 10 GbE ports with pluggable XFP modules; intelligent power management with full 15.4W PoE (IEEE 802.3af) support across all ports; 5-microsecond switching latency under full load for 64 byte frames; and, switch fabric capacity of up to 1.53 Tbps and up to 952 Mpps L2/L3 packet forwarding capacity. High availability architecture features include a 1+1 route processor module design, continuous runtime data plane monitoring and advanced in-service CLI diagnostic functions. Additionally, power supply redundancy with load sharing power bus helps ensure uninterrupted VoIP calls during power supply failures.
Force10 Networks Inc., San Jose, Calif.