Implementing IBM System Networking 10Gb Ethernet Switches

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012. All rights reserved. xi

Preface

In today’s infrastructure, it is common to build networks based on 10 Gb Ethernet technology.

The IBM® portfolio of 10 Gb systems networking products includes Top-of-Rack switches,

and the embedded switches in the IBM BladeCenter® family. In 2010, IBM formed the IBM

System Networking business (by acquiring BLADE Network Technologies), which is now

focused on driving data center networking by using the latest Ethernet technologies.

The main focus of this IBM Redbooks® publication is on the IBM System Networking 10Gb

Switch Modules, which include both embedded and Top-of-Rack (TOR) models. After reading

this book, you can perform basic to advanced configurations of IBM System Networking 10Gb

Switch Modules.

In this publication, we introduce the various 10 Gb switch models that are available today and

then describe in detail the features that are applicable to these switches.

We then present two architectures that use these 10 Gb switches, which are used throughout

this book. These designs are based on preferred practices and the experience of authors of

this book. Our intention is to show the configuration of the different features that are available

with IBM System Networking 10Gb Switch Modules. We follow the three-tier Data Center

design, focusing on the Access and Aggregation Layers, because those layers are the layers

that IBM System Networking Switches use.

We start our configuration with the initial setup of the switches, which is required to activate

the switches. We also introduce the IBM System Networking Element Manager and

its configuration.

In the IBM RackSwitch Implementation, we provide information and instructions for

implementing 10 Gb Ethernet using the IBM Top-of-Rack switch models G8264R/F and

G8124. Step by step instructions are included for implementing and configuring the most

important functions of the IBM Networking Operating System (previously know a BLADEOS).

The Virtual Fabric 10Gb Switch Module implementation shows how a mixed environment of

both stand-alone and embedded switches provide end-to-end communication in a data

center, for servers that run different operating systems and IP protocol versions (IPv4

and IPv6).

The team who wrote this book

This book was produced by a team of specialists from around the world working at the

International Technical Support Organization, San Jose.

Note: Because of the recent acquisition of IBM BNT® by IBM, some of the product names

used in this publication might change.