Chapter 3. Reference architectures 109
Figure 3-1 shows an overview of the Top-of-Rack architecture.
Figure 3-1 Top-of-Rack architecture overview
3.2.1 Layer 1 architecture
The Layer 1, or physical layer, architecture includes the hardware components, physical
cabling, connectors, interfaces, and host names.
Hardware components
The list of equipment used in this topology is shown in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1 Top-of-Rack - hardware
Aggregation
Layer
Access
Layer
Server
RackSwitch
G8264
RackSwitch
G8124
IBM System
x3550 M3
Top-of-Rack Architecture
Host name Model Description
SRV-1 System x3550 M3
ACC-1 RackSwitch G8124 Access Layer
Switch 1
ACC-2 RackSwitch G8124 Access Layer
Switch 2
AGG-1 RackSwitch G8264 Aggregation Layer
Switch 1
AGG-2 RackSwitch G8164 Aggregation Layer
Switch 2
110 Implementing IBM System Networking 10Gb Ethernet Switches
Table 3-2 shows the switch interfaces used for connecting the devices. The port numbering
assumes that aggregation (RackSwitch G8264) is in QSFP+ 40GbE mode.
Table 3-2 Top-of-Rack - interconnections
Device #1 Interface
device #1
Device #2 Interface
Device #2
Interface
type
Connector/
cable type
SRV-1 NIC0 ACC-1 port7 10 Gbps 10G SFP+
Transceiver, fiber
SRV-1 NIC1 ACC-2 port7 10 Gbps 10G SFP+
Transceiver, fiber
ACC-1 port1 AGG-1 port17 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-1 port2 AGG-1 port18 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-1 port3 AGG-2 port19 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-1 port4 AGG-2 port20 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-1 port5 ACC-2 port5 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-1 port6 ACC-2 port6 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-2 port1 AGG-2 port17 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-2 port2 AGG-2 port18 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-2 port3 AGG-1 port19 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-2 port4 AGG-1 port20 10 Gbps 10G SFP+
Transceiver, fiber
ACC-2 port5 ACC-1 port5 10 Gbps DAC, copper
ACC-2 port6 ACC-1 port6 10 Gbps DAC, copper
AGG-1 port1 AGG-2 port1 40 Gbps DAC, copper
(QSFP+)
AGG-1 port5 AGG-2 port5 40 Gbps DAC, copper
(QSFP+)
AGG-2 port1 AGG-1 port1 40 Gbps DAC, copper
(QSFP+)
AGG-2 port5 AGG-1 port5 40 Gbps DAC, copper
(QSFP+)

Get Implementing IBM System Networking 10Gb Ethernet Switches now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial