Transcript
Solution Sheet
Open Converged Networking Environments Cisco Unified Computing System and QLogic Adapters Provide a Reliable and High-Performance Solution Introduction Integrating server virtualization with Cisco® and QLogic® solutions for converged networking provides the foundation for serviceoriented, utility-based computing. Cisco C-Series Rack-Mount Servers extend unified computing to an industry-standard form factor to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). Enterprise data center administrators have embraced virtualization as a way to drive innovation and lower costs in their production environments. The emergence of 10Gb Ethernet and data center bridging (to enhance Ethernet for storage) lays the foundation for more widespread adoption of converged networks in the data center. Unified I/O is achieved by combining LAN and SAN traffic over a single high-performance 10GbE backbone that connects servers, network, and storage devices throughout the data center.
Solution Sheet in turn lowers power, space, and cooling requirements. Standardizing on one underlying networking technology lowers management overhead and improves operations efficiency because there is only one set of devices and tools to learn and operate for the core infrastructure. In addition, network convergence offers investment protection because the new components integrate with the existing LAN and SAN infrastructure. Network convergence improves IT agility and service delivery capabilities. New applications can be deployed using whichever protocol provides the performance and service level that the business requires for each application. Convergence simplifies the infrastructure, facilitating the deployment of virtualization-based, high-availability solutions. A converged, virtualized infrastructure provides the underlying foundation for service-oriented, utility-based computing.
Open Converged Networking Environments Challenge •• Handling escalating traffic levels and exponential growth in the data center •• Client demands for enhanced application performance Solution The Cisco Nexus family of products and QLogic Converged Network Adapters provide a proven, future-proof data center infrastructure suited for the rapidly growing demands of business and IT. Fibre Channel over Ethernet technology enables the data center to consolidate storage and I/O at the edge of the network.
QLogic was the first to introduce the Converged Network Adapter class of converged networking products to the market. The company’s Converged Network Adapters support concurrent LAN (TCP/IP) and SAN (FCoE) traffic over a shared 10Gb Ethernet link and are ideal for beginning the evolution to converged networking at the SAN edge. The adapters deliver industryleading LAN networking performance, full hardware offload for FCoE protocol processing, and an extensive set of features that enhance system virtualization. In addition, the adapters leverage QLogic’s existing Fibre Channel and iSCSI drivers, making them the most dependable and fieldhardened Converged Network Adapters on the market. QLogic Converged Network Adapters are designed for next-generation, virtualized data centers with powerful multi-processor and multi-core servers.
Benefits •• Flexibility and scalability—deliver business agility •• One-wire, multiple protocols—lowers TCO •• Highest interoperability—provides broad ecosystem support •• Simplifies overall management and maintenance
The Challenge
Features and Benefits
Business applications can reside on thousands of servers across multiple data centers. IT teams have to keep data center network infrastructure up-to-date for two reasons. First, the existing switches may not be able to handle traffic during peak times, affecting the client/user experience. Second, businesses require modular and scalable switch architecture to address future business growth.
The benefits of the Cisco Nexus architecture include: •• Scalability to support business growth •• Lower port costs •• Reduced management overhead •• Enhanced resiliency
Different types of rack-optimized servers are needed for Web interfaces, proprietary applications, and databases, leading to less than optimal utilization and high management overhead. Distributed storage is difficult to scale, manage, and back up, affecting application performance.
The benefits of QLogic Converged Network Adapters include: •• Highest application performance •• Advanced virtualization capabilities
The Cisco and QLogic Converged Network Solution for Rack-Mount Servers
•• Reliability
The Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a next-generation data center platform that unites compute, network, storage access, and virtualization into a cohesive system designed to reduce TCO and increase business agility. The system integrates a low-latency, lossless 10Gigabit Ethernet unified network fabric with enterprise-class, x86-architecture servers. Convergence complements server virtualization, lowering IT sprawl by greatly reducing the number of adapters, switch ports, and cables. This
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Feature FlexOffload®
NPIV
Benefit Network protocol processing in adapter hardware—lowers CPU utilization requirement for I/O processing
Enables network addressing on a perVM basis, extending virtualization across the storage infrastructure
Converged Network Adapters—Adapters for Standard Servers
Result More resources for applications and OSs, increased application performance, more virtual machines (VMs) per server, and higher customer satisfaction
“Plug it in and it just Fewer disruptions, works” reliability and simple upgrades, broad ecosystem support and easier integrations
QConvergeConsole®
Delivers a unified, Web-based, single-paneof-glass management console across QLogic’s broad product line of storage and networking adapters—multiprotocol proven solution and available as a graphical user interface (GUI) or command line interface (CLI)
QLogic Base
74-7111-01
N2XX-AQPCI01
QLE8152
Cisco Switch Models •• Nexus 7000 Series •• Nexus 5000 Series •• Nexus 2000 Series MDS Switches Cisco Switch Part Numbers •• MDS 9100 Series
Summary—Cisco and QLogic Deliver the Most Interoperable Converged Networking Solution
Easy-to-use management of storage devices and services reduces costs
Your data center needs the highest levels of interoperability. Cisco and QLogic together deliver standards-based products that meet your expectations. The Cisco UCS with QLogic adapters delivers high performance and reliability. Converging your network will lower your company’s overall TOC and simplify your data center infrastructure.
For More Information To learn more about how your converged network and data center can benefit from the Cisco UCS and QLogic adapters, please contact your Cisco representative and visit www.cisco.com.
Solution Components UCS C-Series Rack-mount Servers
For more information about the Cisco UCS, visit: www.cisco.com/go/ucs. To learn more about unified computing, go to www.cisco.com/go/unifiedcomputing. For details about managing Cisco UCS C-Series servers, see “Managing Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Servers At-a-Glance” at: www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/ps10265/ ps10493/at_a_glance_c45-557285.pdf. Visit www.cisco.com/go/dc to learn more about Cisco Data Center Business Advantage solutions.
Cisco Server Model Numbers •• C200 M2 General Purpose Rack-Mount Server •• C210 M2 High Density Rack-Mount Server •• C250 M2 Extended Memory Rack-Mount Server •• C460 M2 High-Performance Rack-Mount Server
More information about QLogic Converged Network Adapters and Fibre Channel Adapters is available at www.qlogic.com/go/cisco.
Cisco Adapter Model Numbers Fibre Channel Adapters—Adapters for Standard Servers Cisco Model
Cisco Part Number
QLogic Base
74-6809-01
N2XX-AQPCI03
QLA2462
74-7179-01
N2XX-AQPCI05
QLE2562
OBM-SS12008
Cisco Part Number
Nexus Switches
Enables endto-end virtual infrastructure over the server, network, and storage
Proven Software Stack
Cisco Model
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Solution Sheet
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© 2012 QLogic Corporation. Specifications are subject to change without notice. All rights reserved worldwide. QLogic, the QLogic logo, FlexOffload, and QConvergeConsole are trademarks or registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information supplied by QLogic Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable. QLogic Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors in this document. QLogic Corporation reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or specifications.
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