© BLADE Network Technologies, 2009 www.bladenetwork.net©2009 www.bladenetwork.net VIRTUAL COOLER EASIER

Rackonomics and Network Virtualization

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• BLADE: The leader in blade networking

• BLADE’s contribution to “Rackonomics” is the answer to network overload

• BLADE offers true rack-level network virtualization

Agenda

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• Extends virtualization: Mirrors benefits of server virtualization within the network at the rack level• Saves Energy: Optimized airflow for servers and storage racks • Painless: Removes complexity through simplified

management and fabric convergence

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Who is BLADE?

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A market-leading supplier of Gigabit and 10G Ethernet networking infrastructure solutions that reside in:• Blade servers• “Scale-out” server racks• Storage racks

48% blade networking market share

#1 server vendor in Japan

#1 server vendor worldwide

#1 blade server vendor

worldwide

Leading datacenter-in-a-

box provider

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Growing Pressures on Data Centers

Busier servers• Virtualization• Multicore CPUs• Multiple fabricsMore servers• Consolidation• Scale-out• Web 2.0• ClusteringVanishing resources• Shrinking IT budgets• Power & cooling squeeze• Management complexity

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Rackonomics

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• Rack-level provisioning makes it easier to design for scale out

• With Rackonomics, IT can:– Respond faster to business demands– Increase energy efficiency– Decrease TCO

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Rackonomics

The Replicated Rack is the New Data Center!

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BLADE’s Rackonomics Switch Family

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• Networking Virtualization switch-resident software– SmartConnect™ and VMready™

• First server and storage rack-optimized switch– Airflow to match server and storage racks

• Makes networks easier to manage– BLADEHarmony™ Manager

RackSwitch G80001/10G Ethernet Switch

RackSwitch G812410G Low Latency SFP+ Switch

RackSwitch G810010G Low Latency CX4 Switch

Virtual

Cooler

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Under $500/port for 10G EthernetLess power than 2 light bulbs

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BLADE RackSwitchDesigned for IBM iDataPlex

• IBM enters the Rackonomics market– Solution for Web 2.0 and Cloud

Computing

• RackSwitch & iDataPlex – A perfect fit– Airflow matches server airflow

– Up to 8 RackSwitch supported

• Other vendors limited to 4 switches due to need for expensive air baffles

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Rack Virtualization =Virtual, Cooler, Easier Networking

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Rack with Rack with Virtualized Virtualized

NetworkNetwork

BLADE RackSwitches

BLADE Embedded Switches

Virtualization Software(SmartConnect™ & VMready™)

BLADEHarmony™ Manager

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VirtualSmartConnect™ Virtualization Software• Share I/O across a blade chassis or rack

– Improved fault-tolerance– Decouple scaling of CPU, I/O and storage

• Server-centric products– Networking optimized for server

administrators

• Used today by:– Large retailer– Large Wall Street financial firm– Leading Web 2.0 service

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Web traffic

Video traffic

Backup traffic

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Physical ports are the old switching unit

• Not aware of Virtual Machines (VMs)• Configuration per physical port only

•No flexibility for unique VM needs• No flexibility to handle VM migrations

Virtual ports are the new switching unit

• Fully aware of Virtual Machines• Configuration per virtual port• Automated Network mobility

•Configuration follows Virtual Machines in real-time during migration

VMready™ Virtual Machine aware networking

ServerServer

10’s of Physical ports

ServerServer ServerServer

10G10G 10G10G 10G10G

physical ports

ServerServer ServerServer ServerServer

v-ports

CNACNA 10G10G CNACNA

Old Switches VMready Switches

1000’s of Virtual ports

10

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Designed for Data CentersAirflow that matches servers and storage

Side ViewHot/Cold Aisle

70°

70°

71°

72°

74°

73°

70°

70°

72°

83°

85°

95°

90°

Cold Aisle Hot Aisle Cold Aisle

Hot Loops

Traditional Switch

Server

Side Cooled Switch

Storage Device

Storage Device

Server

Storage Device

Server

Storage Device

Storage Device

Server

BLADE RackSwitch

Server

BLADE RackSwitch

Storage Device

Storage Device

Server

Storage Device

Server

Storage Device

Storage Device

Server

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• Most switches pull hot air from server exhaust creating “hot loops”• Driving up cooling costs

• BLADE’s RackSwitches match the airflow of servers

Using BLADERackSwitch

Using general-purpose switch

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Easier BLADEHarmony™ Manager Software

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• Data center view and management of I/O

• Single-click update to thousands of switches

• Integrates with HP Systems Insight Manager & IBM Director

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EasierFabric Convergence with 10G Ethernet

• Lossless with Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE)– IP SAN (NAS, iSCSI) and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

• Low latency for high-performance clusters (HPC)• Low power with fewer components• Low cost

– Single attach (NIC/Adapter) for servers & storage– Reduced cabling & management

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SANSAN

LANLAN

Converged Server FabricConverged Server Fabric

Fibre Channel

InfiniBand

HPC HPC ClusterCluster

Ethernet

• NAS and iSCSI – Available today• FCoE-ready lossless fabric – demo at SNW & Interop 2008

SAN, LAN, and Cluster traffic will converge on 10G Ethernet

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BLADE is First with Rack-level Network Virtualization

• Extends BLADE’s expertise into rack networking– Field-proven, mature switch

software – Existing (IBM, HP, NEC)

and new distribution partners

– Over 300 of Fortune 500 count on BLADE

• “Rackonomics” through virtualized networking– RackSwitch products for

scale-out networks

Apr 8, 2023BLADE Network Technologies 14

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Disclaimer

• BLADE makes no warranties regarding the accuracy of this information. BLADE does not warrant or represent that it will introduce any product to which the information relates. It is presented for discussion purposes only.

• All statements regarding BLADE’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, at BLADE’s sole discretion.

• Prices, delivery dates and technical specifications are subject to change without notice. 

• Copyright 2009 BLADE Network Technologies. BLADE Network Technologies, the BLADE logo, BLADEHarmony, RackSwitch, SmartConnect and VMready are trademarks of BLADE Network Technologies.  All other names or marks are property of their respective owners.

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