Category Archives: Data Center Switch

Everything You Should Know About Bare Metal Switch

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In an era where enterprise networks must support an increasing array of connected devices, agility and scalability in networking have become business imperatives. The shift towards open networking has catalyzed the rise of bare metal switches within corporate data networks, reflecting a broader move toward flexibility and customization. As these switches gain momentum in enterprise IT environments, one may wonder, what differentiates bare metal switches from their predecessors, and what advantages do they offer to meet the demands of modern enterprise networks?

What is a Bare Metal Switch?

Bare metal switches are originated from a growing need to separate hardware from software in the networking world. This concept was propelled mainly by the same trend within the space of personal computing, where users have freedom of choice over the operating system they install. Before their advent, proprietary solutions dominated, where a single vendor would provide the networking hardware bundled with their software.

A bare metal switch is a network switch without a pre-installed operating system (OS) or, in some cases, with a minimal OS that serves simply to help users install their system of choice. They are the foundational components of a customizable networking solution. Made by original design manufacturers (ODMs), these switches are called “bare” because they come as blank devices that allow the end-user to implement their specialized networking software. As a result, they offer unprecedented flexibility compared to traditional proprietary network switches.

Bare metal switches usually adhere to open standards, and they leverage common hardware components observed across a multitude of vendors. The hardware typically consists of a high-performance switching silicon chip, an essential assembly of ports, and the standard processing components required to perform networking tasks. However, unlike their proprietary counterparts, these do not lock you into a specific vendor’s ecosystem.

What are the Primary Characteristics of Bare Metal Switches?

The aspects that distinguish bare metal switches from traditional enclosed switches include:

Hardware Without a Locked-down OS: Unlike traditional networking switches from vendors like Cisco or Juniper, which come with a proprietary operating system and a closed set of software features, bare metal switches are sold with no such restrictions.

Compatibility with Multiple NOS Options: Customers can choose to install a network operating system of their choice on a bare metal switch. This could be a commercial NOS, such as Cumulus Linux or Pica8, or an open-source NOS like Open Network Linux (ONL).

Standardized Components: Bare metal switches typically use standardized hardware components, such as merchant silicon from vendors like Broadcom, Intel, or Mellanox, which allows them to achieve cost efficiencies and interoperability with various software platforms.

Increased Flexibility and Customization: By decoupling the hardware from the software, users can customize their network to their specific needs, optimize performance, and scale more easily than with traditional, proprietary switches.

Target Market: These switches are popular in large data centers, cloud computing environments, and with those who embrace the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) approach, which requires more control over the network’s behavior.

Bare metal switches and the ecosystem of NOS options enable organizations to adopt a more flexible, disaggregated approach to network hardware and software procurement, allowing them to tailor their networking stack to their specific requirements.

Benefits of Bare Metal Switches in Practice

Bare metal switches introduce several advantages for enterprise environments, particularly within campus networks and remote office locations at the access edge. It offers an economical solution to manage the surging traffic triggered by an increase of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the trend of employees bringing personal devices to the network. These devices, along with extensive cloud service usage, generate considerable network loads with activities like streaming video, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective way to accommodate this burgeoning data flow.

In contrast to the traditional approach where enterprises might face high costs updating edge switches to handle increased traffic, bare metal switches present an affordable alternative. These devices circumvent the substantial markups imposed by well-known vendors, making network expansion or upgrades more financially manageable. As a result, companies can leverage open network switches to develop networks that are not only less expensive but better aligned with current and projected traffic demands.

Furthermore, bare metal switches support the implementation of the more efficient leaf-spine network topology over the traditional three-tier structure, consolidating the access and aggregation layers and often enabling a single-hop connection between devices, which enhances connection efficiency and performance. With vendors like Pica8 employing this architecture, the integration of Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) technology supersedes the older Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), effectively doubling network bandwidth by allowing simultaneous link usage and ensuring rapid network convergence in the event of link failures.

Building High-Performing Enterprise Networks

FS S5870 series of switches is tailored for enterprise networks, primarily equipped with 48 1G RJ45 ports and a variety of uplink ports. This configuration effectively resolves the challenge of accommodating multiple device connections within enterprises. S5870 PoE+ switches offer PoE+ support, reducing installation and deployment expenses while amplifying network deployment flexibility, catering to a diverse range of scenario demands. Furthermore, the PicOS License and PicOS maintenance and support services can further enhance the worry-free user experience for enterprises. Features such as ACL, RADIUS, TACACS+, and DHCP snooping enhance network visibility and security. FS professional technical team assists with installation, configuration, operation, troubleshooting, software updates, and a wide range of other network technology services.

Bare Metal Switch vs White Box Switch vs Brite Box Switch: What Is the Difference?

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In the current age of increasingly dynamic IT environments, the traditional networking equipment model is being challenged. Organizations are seeking agility, customization, and scalability in their network infrastructures to deal with escalating data traffic demands and the shift towards cloud computing. This has paved the way for the emergence of bare metal switches, white box switches, and brite box switches. Let’s explore what these different types of networking switches mean, how they compare, and which might be the best choice for your business needs.

What Is Bare Metal Switch?

A bare metal switch is a hardware device devoid of any pre-installed networking operating system (NOS). With standard components and open interfaces, these switches offer a base platform that can be transformed with software to suit the specific needs of any network. The idea behind a bare metal switch is to separate networking hardware from software, thus providing the ultimate flexibility for users to curate their network behavior according to their specific requirements.

Bare metal switches are often seen in data center environments where organizations want more control over their network, and are capable of deploying, managing, and supporting their chosen software.

What Is White Box Switch?

A white box switch takes the concept of the bare metal switch a step further. These switches come as standardized network devices typically with pre-installed, albeit minimalistic, NOS that are usually based on open standards and can be replaced or customized as needed. Users can add on or strip back functionalities to match their specific requirements, offering the ability to craft highly tailored networking environments.

The term “white box” suggests these devices come from Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) that produce the underlying hardware for numerous brands. These are then sold either directly through the ODM or via third-party vendors without any brand-specific features or markup.

Bare Metal Switch vs White Box Switch

While Bare Metal and White Box Switches are frequently used interchangeably, distinctions lie in their offerings and use cases. Bare Metal Switches prioritize hardware, leaving software choices entirely in the hands of the end-user. In contrast, White Box Switches lean towards a complete solution—hardware potentially coupled with basic software, providing a foundation which can be extensively customized or used out-of-the-box with the provided NOS. The choice between the two hinges on the level of control an IT department wants over its networking software coupled with the necessity of precise hardware specifications.

What is Brite Box Switch?

Brite Box Switches serve as a bridge between the traditional and the modern, between proprietary and open networking. In essence, Brite box switches are white box solutions delivered by established networking brands. They provide the lower-cost hardware of a white box solution but with the added benefit of the brand’s software, support, and ecosystem. For businesses that are hesitant about delving into a purely open environment due to perceived risks or support concerns, brite boxes present a middling ground.

Brite box solutions tend to be best suited to enterprises that prefer the backing of big vendor support without giving up the cost and flexibility advantages offered by white and bare metal alternatives.

Comparison Between Bare Metal Switch, White Box Switch and Brite Box Switch

Here is a comparative look at the characteristics of Bare Metal Switches, White Box Switches, and Brite Box Switches:

FeatureBare Metal SwitchWhite Box SwitchBrite Box Switch
DefinitionHardware sold without a pre-installed OSStandardized hardware with optional NOSBrand-labeled white box hardware with vendor support
Operating SystemNo OS; user installs their choiceOptional pre-installed open NOSPre-installed open NOS, often with vendor branding
Hardware ConfigurationStandard open hardware from ODMs; users can customize configurations.Standard open hardware from ODMs with added flexibility of configurations.Standard open hardware, sometimes with added specifications from the vendor.
CostLower due to no licensing for OSGenerally lowest cost optionHigher than white box, but less than proprietary
Flexibility & ControlHighHighModerate
IntegrationRequires skilled IT to integrateIdeal for highly customized environmentsEasier; typically integrates with vendor ecosystem
Reliability/SupportRelies on third-party NOS supportSelf-supportVendor-provided support services
Bare Metal Switch vs White Box Switch vs Brite Box Switch

When choosing the right networking switch, it’s vital to consider the specific needs, technical expertise, and strategic goals of your organization. Bare metal switches cater to those who want full control and have the capacity to handle their own support and software management. White box switches offer a balance between cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment. In contrast, brite box switches serve businesses looking for trusted vendor support with a tinge of openness found in white box solutions.

Leading Provider of Open Networking Infrastructure Solutions

FS (www.fs.com) is a global provider of ICT network products and solutions, serving data centers, enterprises, and telecom networks around the world. At present, FS offers open network switches compatible with PicOS®, ranging from 1G to 400G, customers can procure the PicOS®, PicOS-V, and the AmpCon™, along with comprehensive service support, through FS. Their commitment to customer-driven solutions aligns well with the ethos of open networking, making them a trusted partner for enterprises stepping into the future of open infrastructure.

What is Core Layer and How to Choose the Right Core Switch?

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What is Core Layer?

The Core Layer in networking serves as the backbone of a hierarchical network design, forming a critical component within the three-layer model alongside the Access and Distribution layers. Situated at the center of network architecture, the Core Layer is designed for high-speed, high-capacity packet switching, ensuring swift and efficient transport of data across the entire network.

Unlike the Distribution Layer, the Core Layer typically focuses on rapid data transfer without applying extensive processing or policy-based decision-making. Its primary objective is to facilitate seamless and fast communication between different parts of the network.

Duty of Core Switches

In the enterprise hierarchical network design, the core layer switch is the topside one, which is relied on by the other access and distribution layers. It aggregates all the traffic flows from distribution layer devices and access layer devices, and sometimes core switches need to deal with external traffic from other egresses devices. So it is important for core switches to send large amounts of packets as much as possible. The core layer always consists of high-speed switches and routers optimized for performance and availability.

Figure 1: Core Switches in the three-tier architecture

Located at the core layer of enterprise networking, a core layer switch functions as a backbone switch for LAN access and centralizes multiple aggregation devices to the core. In these three layers, core switches require most highly in the switch performance. They are usually the most powerful, in terms of forwarding large amounts of data quickly. For most of the cases, core switches manage high-speed connections, such as 10G Ethernet, 40G Ethernet or 100G Ethernet. To ensure high-speed traffic transfer, core switches should not perform any packet manipulation such as Inter-Vlan routing, Access Lists, etc., which are performed by distribution devices.

Note: In small networks, it is often the case to implement a collapsed core layer, combining the core layer and the distribution layer into one as well as the switches. More information about the collapsed core is available in How to Choose the Right Distribution Switch?

Factors to Consider When Choosing Core Switches for Enterprises

Simply put, core layer switches are generally layer 3 switches with high performance, availability, reliability, and scalability. Except for considering the basic specifications like port speed and port types, the following factors should be considered when choosing core switches for an enterprise network design.

Performance

The packet forwarding rate and switching capacity matter a lot to the core switch in enterprise networking. Compared with the access layer switches and distribution switches, core switches must provide the highest forwarding rate and switching capacity as much as possible. The concrete forwarding rate largely depends on the number of devices in the network, the core switches can be selected from the bottom to the top based on the distribution layer devices.

For instance, network designers can determine the necessary forwarding rate of core switches by checking and examining the various traffic flow from the access and distribution layers, then identify one or more appropriate core switches for the network.

Redundancy

Core switches pay more attention to redundancy compared with other switches. Since the core layer switches carry much higher workloads than the access switches and distribution switches, they are generally hotter than the switches in the other two layers, the cooling system should be taken into consideration. As often the case, core layer switches are generally equipped with redundant cooling systems to help the switches cooling down while they are running.

The redundant power supply is another feature that should be considered. Imagine that the switches lose power when the networking is running, the whole network would shut down when you are going to perform a hardware replacement. With redundant power supplies, when one supply fails, the other one will instantly start running, ensuring the whole network unaffected by the maintenance.

FS provides switches with hot-swappable fans and power supply modules for better redundancy.

Reliability

Typically core switches are layer 3 switches, performing both switching and routing functions. Connectivity between a distribution and core switches is accomplished using layer 3 links. Core switches should perform advanced DDoS protection using layer 3 protocols to increase security and reliability. Link aggregation is needed in core switches, ensuring distribution switches delivering network traffic to the core layer as efficiently as possible.

Moreover, fault tolerance is an issue to consider. If a failure occurs in the core layer switches, every user would be affected. Configurations such as access lists and packet filtering should be avoided in case that network traffic would slow down. Fault-tolerant protocols such as VRRP and HSRP is also available to group the devices into a virtual one and ensure the communication reliability in case one physical switch breaks down. What’s more, when there are more than one core switches in some enterprise networks, the core switches need to support functions such as MLAG to ensure the operation of the whole link if a core switch fails.

QoS Capability

QoS is an essential service that can be desired for certain types of network traffic. In today’s enterprises, with the growing amount of data traffic, more and more voice and video data are required. What if network congestion occurs in the enterprise core? The QoS service will make sense.

With the QoS capability, core switches are able to provide different bandwidth to different applications according to their various characteristics. Compared with the traffic that is not so sensitive about time such as E-mail, critical traffic sensitive to time should receive higher QoS guarantees so that more important traffic can pass first, with the high forwarding of data and low package loss guaranteed.

As you can see from the contents above, there are many factors that determine what enterprise core switches are most suitable for your network environment. In addition, you may need a few conversations with the switch vendors and know what specific features and services they can provide so as to make a wise choice.


Related Articles:

How to Choose the Right Access Layer Switch?

How to Choose the Right Core Switch?

What Is Layer 4 Switch and How Does It Work?

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What’s Layer 4 Switch?

A Layer 4 switch, also known as a transport layer switch or content switch, operates on the transport layer (Layer 4) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. This layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and data flow control between devices across a network.Here are key characteristics and functionalities of Layer 4 switches:

  • Packet Filtering: Layer 4 switches can make forwarding decisions based on information from the transport layer, including source and destination port numbers. This allows for more sophisticated filtering than traditional Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) or Layer 3 (Network Layer) switches.
  • Load Balancing: One of the significant features of Layer 4 switches is their ability to distribute network traffic across multiple servers or network paths. This load balancing helps optimize resource utilization, enhance performance, and ensure high availability of services.
  • Session Persistence: Layer 4 switches can maintain session persistence, ensuring that requests from the same client are consistently directed to the same server. This is crucial for applications that rely on continuous connections, such as e-commerce or real-time communication services.
  • Connection Tracking: Layer 4 switches can track the state of connections, helping to make intelligent routing decisions. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where connections are established and maintained between a client and a server.
  • Quality of Service (QoS): Layer 4 switches can prioritize network traffic based on the type of service or application. This ensures that critical applications receive preferential treatment in terms of bandwidth and response time.
  • Security Features: Layer 4 switches often come with security features such as access control lists (ACLs) and the ability to perform deep packet inspection. These features contribute to the overall security of the network by allowing or denying traffic based on specific criteria.
  • High Performance: Layer 4 switches are designed for high-performance networking. They can efficiently handle a large number of simultaneous connections and provide low-latency communication between devices.

Layer 2 vs Layer 3 vs Layer 4 Switch

Layer 2 Switch:

Layer 2 switches operate at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) and are primarily focused on local network connectivity. They make forwarding decisions based on MAC addresses in Ethernet frames, facilitating basic switching within the same broadcast domain. VLAN support allows for network segmentation.

However, Layer 2 switches lack traditional IP routing capabilities, making them suitable for scenarios where simple switching and VLAN segmentation meet the networking requirements.

Layer 3 Switch:

Operating at the Network Layer (Layer 3), Layer 3 switches combine switching and routing functionalities. They make forwarding decisions based on both MAC and IP addresses, supporting IP routing for communication between different IP subnets. With VLAN support, these switches are versatile in interconnecting multiple IP subnets within an organization.

Layer 3 switches can make decisions based on IP addresses and support dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and RIP, making them suitable for more complex network environments.

Layer 4 Switch:

Layer 4 switches operate at the Transport Layer (Layer 4), building on the capabilities of Layer 3 switches with advanced features. In addition to considering MAC and IP addresses, Layer 4 switches incorporate port numbers at the transport layer. This allows for the optimization of traffic flow, making them valuable for applications with high performance requirements.

Layer 4 switches support features such as load balancing, session persistence, and Quality of Service (QoS). They are often employed to enhance application performance, provide advanced traffic management, and ensure high availability in demanding network scenarios.

Summary:

In summary, Layer 2 switches focus on basic local connectivity and VLAN segmentation. Layer 3 switches, operating at a higher layer, bring IP routing capabilities and are suitable for interconnecting multiple IP subnets. Layer 4 switches, operating at the Transport Layer, further extend capabilities by optimizing traffic flow and offering advanced features like load balancing and enhanced QoS.

The choice between these switches depends on the specific networking requirements, ranging from simple local connectivity to more complex scenarios with advanced routing and application performance needs.


” Also Check – Layer 2, Layer 3 & Layer 4 Switch: What’s the Difference?

Layer 2 vs Layer 3 vs Layer 4 Switch: Key Parameters to Consider When Purchasing

To make an informed decision for your business, it’s essential to consider the key parameters between Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4 switches when purchasing.

  1. Network Scope and Size:

When considering the purchase of switches, the size and scope of your network are critical factors. Layer 2 switches are well-suited for local network connectivity and smaller networks with straightforward topologies.

In contrast, Layer 3 switches come into play for larger networks with multiple subnets, offering essential routing capabilities between different LAN segments.

Layer 4 switches, with advanced traffic optimization features, are particularly beneficial in more intricate network environments where optimizing traffic flow is a priority.

  1. Functionality and Use Cases:

The functionality of the switch plays a pivotal role in meeting specific network needs. Layer 2 switches provide basic switching and VLAN support, making them suitable for scenarios requiring simple local connectivity and network segmentation.

Layer 3 switches, with combined switching and routing capabilities, excel in interconnecting multiple IP subnets and routing between VLANs.

Layer 4 switches take functionality a step further, offering advanced features such as load balancing, session persistence, and Quality of Service (QoS), making them indispensable for optimizing traffic flow and supporting complex use cases.

  1. Routing Capabilities:

Understanding the routing capabilities of each switch is crucial. Layer 2 switches lack traditional IP routing capabilities, focusing primarily on MAC address-based forwarding.

Layer 3 switches, on the other hand, support basic IP routing, allowing communication between different IP subnets.

Layer 4 switches, while typically not performing traditional IP routing, specialize in optimizing traffic flow at the transport layer, enhancing the efficiency of data transmission.

  1. Scalability and Cost:

The scalability of the switch is a key consideration, particularly as your network grows. Layer 2 switches may have limitations in larger networks, while Layer 3 switches scale well for interconnecting multiple subnets.

Layer 4 switch scalability depends on specific features and capabilities. Cost is another crucial factor, with Layer 2 switches generally being more cost-effective compared to Layer 3 and Layer 4 switches. The decision here involves balancing your budget constraints with the features required for optimal network performance.

  1. Security Features:

Security is paramount in any network. Layer 2 switches provide basic security features like port security. Layer 3 switches enhance security with the inclusion of access control lists (ACLs) and IP security features.

Layer 4 switches may offer additional security features, including deep packet inspection, providing a more robust defense against potential threats.

In conclusion, when purchasing switches, carefully weighing factors such as network scope, functionality, routing capabilities, scalability, cost, and security features ensures that the selected switch aligns with the specific requirements of your network, both in the present and in anticipation of future growth and complexities.

The Future of Layer 4 Switch

The future development of Layer 4 switches is expected to revolve around addressing the growing complexity of modern networks. Enhanced application performance, better support for cloud environments, advanced security features, and alignment with virtualization and SDN trends are likely to shape the evolution of Layer 4 switches, ensuring they remain pivotal components in optimizing and securing network infrastructures.


In conclusion, the decision between Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4 switches is pivotal for businesses aiming to optimize their network infrastructure. Careful consideration of operational layers, routing capabilities, functionality, and use cases will guide you in selecting the switch that aligns with your specific needs. Whether focusing on basic connectivity, IP routing, or advanced traffic optimization, choosing the right switch is a critical step in ensuring a robust and efficient network for your business.


Related Article: Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Switch: Which One Do You Need? | FS Community

How to Build Affordable 10G Network for Small and Midsize Business?

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With the fast development of today’s networking field, many people tend to build 10G network in small and midsize business for their growing network needs. Then, why they choose 10G network? How to build an affordable one? If you want to build such a network, what things you should know? Don’t worry. Let’s find all the answers in the following text.

Necessity of 10G network

Actually, the necessity of 10G network is quite simple to understand. As time goes on, there will be more traffic and applications running on your existing networks and they will keep growing. At that time, the common used Gigabit network will no longer satisfy the urgent needs for higher networking speeds and larger network construction.

How to Build An Affordable 10G Network?

To build a 10G network, there are several indispensable components you need, such as 10GbE switch (10G core switch and access switch with 10G uplinks), 10G SFP+ modules, fiber cables, severs and storage devices, etc.

10G network layout

To build an affordable 10G network for small and midsize business (SMB), let’s take fiber cabling solution as an example.

Fiber Cabling Solution for 10G Network

Under such circumstance, the server or storage has 10G SFP+ port. And it is suitable for applications matching with a 10G fiber switch as the core switch. You can connect all the devices with the steps below:

Step 1: Connect Server Or Storage to A Core Switch

For connection between server (or storage) and a core switch, you can insert a 10G transceiver module connecting with one end of a LC cable into the server or storage, and then connect the other end of the LC cable with the core switch.

Here, the transceiver we use is 10G SFP+ module provided by FS.COM. It can reach a maximum cable distance of 300m over OM3 multimode fiber (MMF).

The LC cable we use is LC UPC to LC UPC duplex OM3 MMF, which has less attenuation when bent or twisted compared with traditional optical fiber cables and will make the installation and maintenance of the fiber optic cables more efficient.

What’s more, the core switch we use is FS S5850-48S2Q4C. This network switch is a 48-port 10Gb SFP+ L2/L3 carrier grade switch with 6 hybrid 40G/100G uplink ports. It is a high performance top of rack (ToR) or leaf switch to meet the next generation metro, data center and enterprise network requirements.

Step 2: Connect the Core Switch With An Access Switch

Next, you need to connect the core switch with an access switch. Just like step 1, insert a 10G transceiver module connecting with one end of a LC cable into the core switch, and then connect the other end of the LC cable with the access switch.

Here, we use FS Gigabit Ethernet switch with 10G SFP+ uplink as the access switch. This is a fanless switch, which is suitable for quilt requirement in SMB network. In addition, it has 24 10/100/1000BASE-T ports and 4 10Gb SFP+ ports for uplinks.

And the LC cable and 10G transceiver we use are the same as the products used in step 1.

Step 3: Connect Your Access Switch to Computers

After the previous two steps, you can use Cat5 or Cat5e cable (here we use Cat5e) to connect your access switch with computers or other devices you need to use. Just remember that you have to connect the 10/100/1000BASE-T ports rather than the 10Gb SFP+ ports.

Products
Price
Features
From US$16.00
Supports 8 Gbit/s Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Optical Transport Network standard OTU2.
From US$1.4 to 5.3 for 1m
OM3 10Gb 50/125 multimode fiber
US$5,699.00
48 x 10Gb + 2 x 40Gb + 4 x 100Gb ports; Non-blocking bandwidth up to 960Gbps
US$279.00
24 x 100/1000BASE-T + 4 x 10GB SFP+ ports; Switching capacity up to 128Gbps
Start from US$0.82 for 6in
Shielded (STP) or Unshielded (UTP) Cat5e Ethernet network patch cable (24/26AWG, 100MHz, RJ45 connector)

Conclusion

From all the above, you may get clearer about how to build affordable 10G network for small and midsize business with 10GbE switch, fiber cables, Ethernet cables, etc. As long as you use the right way, you can not only build an affordable 10G network but also a powerful network for future network reconstruction.

Related Articles:

How to Build a 10G Home Fiber Network?

How to Build 10GbE Network for Small and Mid-Sized Business?

Why Should You Use Open Source Switch?

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Open networking seems to be more and more popular compared with traditional networks at present. As one of the most important parts in open network, open source switch has raised much attention. Then, what is open source switch? Why should you use it? Just read through this post to get all the answers as well as the introduction on different types of open source switches.

What Is Open Source Switch?

Normally, an open source switch is a network switch whose hardware and software are provided by separate entities and can be changed independently without affecting each other. That is to say, the open source switch hardware can support multiple operating systems of different vendors, or the same operating system can be run on multiple hardware configurations.

It is obvious that the open source switches are contrary to closed switches, whose hardware and software are always purchased together. For example, if you buy a Juniper EX or MX, you need to buy JUNOS. If you buy a Cisco Catalyst switch, you have to buy IOS. By contrast, open source switch is full of choice. It gives vendors choice of rebranding an open switch by adding their own software and selling it all as a package.

Open source switch with Cumulus Linux

Open Source Switch Types

Normally, open source switch can be divided as three types, namely, bare metal switch, white box switch and brite box switch.

Bare metal switch

A bare metal switch is an open source switch which is not loaded with any operating system and the open source switch hardware in it only has basic support from original design manufacturer. It comes with a boot loader called the Open Network Install Environment (ONIE), which allows you to load an operating system onto the switch. For such switch, you can choose to load the open source switch OS you want at any time. You can choose the applications you need to run first, and then choose the operating system that best supports the applications or best fits your operational environment. Finally, you choose the hardware to run it all. This is kind of like how we’ve been building servers.

White Box Switch

A white box switch can be regarded as a bare metal switch with network OS preloaded. Such switch is also non-branded. It’s still an open switch because the OS and the hardware are not integrated. You just got a package of a bare metal switch and an operating system.

Brite Box Switch

A brite box switch is made by an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), and is often the same switch offered by the ODMs as bare metal but with a brand name like Dell or HP. It can be regarded as a branded white box switch.

Why Should You Use Open Source Switch?

From the definition and different types of open source switch, you may find it beneficial to use it. It has the following advantages:

  • Multiple choice: There’s a multitude of operating systems you can load for different needs, such as Broadcom’s FastPath, Big Switch Networks’ Switch Light, Cumulus Networks’ Cumulus Linux, Pica8’s PicOS, etc.
  • Flexible software solution: It offers composable networking solution with open source Network Operating System (NOS). You can replace the NOS you installed before and then choose another one for your actual needs.
  • Enable premium NOS applications: It enables you to selectively load an open source switch OS, which offers a scalable solution to enable both network operators and vendors to get premium open source NOS applications rapidly. Some software (Cumulus Linux, PicOS, etc.) support a rich set of L2/L3 networking features that are compatible with a wide variety of 10G, 25G, 40G and 100G hardware platforms from multiple vendors.
  • Realize customizable infrastructures in network: It gives you option to deploy the right combination of hardware platform, network operating system and individual software components to best suit their specific use scenarios.
  • Reduce failure domains and improve overall performance: The flexibility of combination on open source switch hardware and software enables you to install and operationalize individual protocol stacks as applications or micro-features. This facilitates the design of composable networks, thus reduces failure domains and improve performance.

Last but not least, compared with open source switch, the traditional analytics tools are not good enough to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by SDN such as network programmability, automation and optimization.

Conclusion

From all the above, you may have a general understanding of what an open source network is and why you should use it. Among the three open source switch types, bare metal switches only matter to commercial software providers (like Facebook or Google). White or brite box solutions are the only real open switching choices for normal-sized network operators. For example, you can use the combination of an open 10Gb switch with a NOS you want as white box solution for your small-to-medium-sized network construction.

Related articles:

Everything You Should Know About Cumulus Linux

Why FS Adds Cumulus Support to the N-series Data Center Switches

12-Port 10GbE SFP+ Switch Recommendation

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Nowadays, network users tend to have multiple requirements on a single network switch, especially on the functions and ports. Much evidence shows that the 10GbE SFP+ switch is getting more popular with greater demand. Listed below are some typical examples gathered from different forums on what switch they really need:

– “I want a 10G switch (8 or 12 SFP+ ports are better) with several Gigabit RJ45/SFP ports. And the switch must support VLAN and STP/RSTP. Any suggestions?”

– ”Looking for a layer2/layer3 10GbE switch with 8-12 ports and in the US$2,500 range. By the way, I prefer SFP+ rather than copper 10GbE since all the cables I have got are SFP+ DACs.”

– “Help! Need a 12-port or 16-port 10GbE SFP+ switch with relatively cheap price. Any suggestion would be appreciated!”

From the three thread descriptions above, the common Gigabit Ethernet switch can no longer meet the needs of many people. To meet all the requirements mentioned above, several 10G switches are recommended below:

FS S5800-8TF12S 12-Port 10GbE SFP+ Switch

The S5800-8TF12S 12-port 10 GbE SFP+ switch provided by FS.COM can meet all the demands mentioned above. This switch is a high-performance Ethernet switch with several highlights. It offers 8 x 1GbE SFP/RJ45 combo ports and 12 x 10GbE uplink ports in a compact 1RU form factor, which is ideal for hyper-converged infrastructure. In addition, this 10G switch supports both L2 and L3 packet processing. It has very low system power consumption of 65W at most.

FS S5800-8TF12S 12-Port 10GbE SFP+ Switch

D-link DXS-1210-12SC 10GbE SFP+ Switch

D-link DXS-1210-12SC is also a 12-port 10G switch. However, it can not meet all the demands mentioned from the three threads. This 10GB SFP+ switch only has 2 x 10GBASE-T/SFP+ combo ports. While, it has 10 x 10-Gigabit SFP+ Ports. It supports auto surveillance VLAN, L2 and L3 packet processing as well.

Mellanox SX1012X 10GbE SFP+ Switch

Mellanox SX1012X is an ideal 10GbE ToR switch with 12 ports. It is a high-performance small-scale switch in a half-width 1U form factor. It has 12 QSFP+ ports for uplink connection. If you buy this switch, you have to buy the corresponding DACs and optical modules together since it does not have other port for simple copper connection.

Netgear XS712T 10GbE SFP+ Switch

The Netgear XS712T is a 12-port 10-Gigabit copper smart switch with 10 dedicated 10GBase-T copper ports and 2 copper/SFP+ combo ports. The 10GBase-T copper ports can support 10G/1G/100M speeds and the combo ports are used for 10G connection. It is designed for SMB network with advanced L2+/Layer 3 lite features.

FS S5800-8TF12S vs D-link DXS-1210-12SC vs Mellanox SX1012X vs Netgear XS712T

How to choose a proper 10GbE SFP+ Switch for your network? Look at the following chart to compare the four different 10Gb SFP+ switches mentioned above:

10GbE SFP+ Switch comparison

From the comparison chart, it is clear that the biggest differences between these 10GbE SFP+ switches are the port types and numbers they support. You can choose a switch according to your actual needs. Of course, the price is another big factor which may affect your decision.

Conclusion

For the four 10GbE SFP+ switches recommended above, you can choose from the ports and the functions you need. For example, if you need the switch for hyper-converged infrastructure with 12 x 10 Gbps SFP+ ports, the FS S5800-8TF12S is a better choice. By the way, this switch offers a competitive price of US$ 1,899.00.

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FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch With Two 40G QSFP+ Uplinks

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Network switch has become unprecedented important in today’s networking market for its rapid update in performance. In the meanwhile, network users tend to have more requirements on a single switch, such as more port numbers, bigger switching capacity, higher bandwidth, etc. Here, we will introduce FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-port switch featuring all these requirements.

FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch Overview

FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch Ports

The S5850-32S2Q switch has 32 ports for 10Gb SFP+ connection and 2 ports for 40G QSFP+ Uplinks. That is to say, it has a non-blocking bandwidth of up to 400Gbps. In addition, It offers a switch fabric capacity of up to 800Gbps and forwarding rate up to 596Mpps.

FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch
FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch Key Features

The key features of this 32-port switch lie in that it provides high-performance, high interface density, and low latency to facilitate the rapid service deployment. The detailed key features are listed below:

  • Supports advanced data center features including MLAG, VXLAN, IPv4/IPv6, SFLOW, SNMP, Priority Flow Control (PFC) and data center TCP.
  • Provides L2 and L3 network service.
  • Supports a complete set of security features like IEEE 802.1x, DHCP Snooping and L2/L3/L4 multi-layer ACLs (Access Control Lists).
  • In case of an Ethernet ring network failure, the backup link will quickly recover the communication between the ring network nodes.
FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch Main Uses

The two main uses of this 32-port switch lie in that it is not only an aggregation or access switch in Metro L2 ring network but also a leaf switch in enterprise data center.

1)Metro L2 Ring Network Application:

Ring network, also known as ring topology, is one of the network topologies in which each node is exactly connected to two other nodes. Therefore, it can form a ring-like pathway by transmitting signals through each node. The ring network reduces chances of data collision since each node releases a data packet after receiving the token. The picture below shows FS S5850-32S2Q switches for Metro L2 ring network topology as aggregation or access devices. These aggregation switches mainly use QinQ or ERPS features to deliver Metro Ethernet service.

S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-Port Switch in ring network

2)Enterprise Data Center Network Application

The S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-port switch can provide access ports for high density 10GE servers and 40GE uplink ports to aggregation or core switches as well. It can be used as leaf switch in data center access network topology with features such as VLAN, LACP, RSTP&MSTP, MLAG, DCB, etc.

32-port-switch-as-leaf-switch

FS S5850-32S2Q Buyer’s Guide

In addition to the information mentioned above, there are other specifications you need to know about FS S5850-32S2Q when choosing a 32-port switch. Listed below are the most important specifications for reference before buying this 10GB switch.

S5850-32S2Q-10GbE-32-port-switch-specifications

Conclusion

All in all, it is clear that the FS S5850-32S2Q 10GbE 32-port switch supports comprehensive protocols and applications. It plays an important role in data centers, Metro, enterprise network, campus network, etc. This 10GB switch is ideal to facilitate the rapid service deployment in both traditional L2 or L3 networks. You can enjoy a non-blocking bandwidth of up to 400Gbps! By the way, if you want an additional Gigabit switch for other use, FS offers multiple choices for you as well.

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10GbE 32-Port Switch Application and Configuration

FS 24-Port Managed Switch With Both Fanless & Stackable Features

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From an application point of view, the current market demand for products is becoming more and more multi-functional. For example, different industries have different functional requirements for network switches, especially for the currently popular 24-port managed switch. You may often see the questions on Reddit seeking for help like the situations below:

– “I am looking for a quiet or fanless switch to install in my office. It is better to have at least 24 ports and support SFP+ uplinks. Any suggestions on where to buy one?”

– “Looking for a 24-port stackable switch for home lab. It would be nice if it could support 10G interconnection. Any advice would be appreciated!”

It seems that a 24-port fanless switch or stackable switch is a popular trend for network construction. Then, can I own a 24-port managed switch with both the characteristics of these two switches? Yes, FS S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch can meet your needs.

FS S3900-24T4S 24-Port Managed Switch Meets All Your Needs

Key Features: Fanless & Stackable in Design

The key features of FS S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch are that it is not only a fanless switch but also a stackable switch.

The fanless design of S3900-24T4S ensures noiseless operation and increases the reliability and energy efficiency of the system. And the stackable feature of S3900-24T4S simplifies network administration. Whether it operates alone or “stacked” with other units, there is always just a single management interface for the network administrator to deal with. This simplifies the setup and operation of the network. The S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch is almost an omnipotent switch for choice under many circumstances.

S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch

In addition to the two main features mentioned above, this 24-port managed switch has other significant features.

Specification of S3900-24T4S 24-Port Managed Switch
S3900-24T4S-specification

How to Install and Use FS S3900-24T4S 24-Port Managed Switch?

Installation Tips:
  • Temperature: Check if the operation temperature is within the specified operating temperature range. Make sure to keep a sound air flow of the rack environment.
  • Avoid additional weight: Do not place any other device or equipment on this switch.
  • Grounding: Keep this switch well grounded.

Note: If you want to mount this switch on a rack, pay attention to the circuit capacity as well. Check whether the circuit will be overload or not before installing S3900-24T4S on the rack. If the circuit can not bear the load of the switch, do not install it at your own will.

How to Use S3900-24T4S 24-Port Managed Switch:

For copper connection: You can use Cat5 cable for 10/100Base-T connection and use Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a or above to reach 1000Base-T connection.

For fiber connection: Since the S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch has four 10G SFP+ ports, you can use a variety of 10G optical transceivers and cables to connect with other network devices. The supported transceivers include 10G SFP+, BiDi SFP+, CWDM SFP+, DWDM SFP+, 10GBASE-T SFP+, etc. While the supported cables could be 10G DAC cable and AOC cable. In addition, this switch allows backwards compatibility on 1G SFP. All third-party modules and DAC/AOC cables can be used on the SFP+ ports of this switch, which can save a lot of deployment costs.

For stacking:  The following video will guide you on how to stack FS S3900-24T4S switches step by step.

Conclusion

From all the above, you may have a general understanding of FS S3900-24T4S 24-port managed switch. Endowed with so many powerful features such as fanless and stackable design, this switch offers unique advantages over many switches in the market. If you want a switch with both fanless and stackable features, FS S3900-24T4S is a priority choice!

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What Is Link Aggregation and Link Aggregation Switch?

What Is Layer 3 Switch?

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Layer 3 switch has roused much attention with the quick renovation of the network upgrade. It plays an important role in data exchange inside a large local area network. Then, what is layer 3 switch? Read this post to learn more about layer 3 switch involved with the comparison of layer 3 switch vs layer 2 and layer 3 switch vs router.

What Is Layer 3 Switch and Layer 3 Switching?

What is layer 3 switch? Simply to say, a layer 3 switch is a network switch with some router functions. The most important purpose of the layer 3 switch is to speed up the data exchange within a large LAN. The routing function is also used for this purpose. It can accomplish one route and multiple packet forwarding processes.

what is layer 3 switch

Regular processes such as packet forwarding are implemented by hardware at high speed, while functions such as routing information update, routing table maintenance, route calculation, and route determination are implemented by software. Layer 3 switching technology is layer 2 switching technology combining with layer 3 forwarding technology. The traditional switching technology is operated in the second layer of the OSI network standard model (the data link layer), and the third layer switching technology implements the high-speed forwarding of data packets in the third layer of the network model. It not only realizes the network routing function but also achieves optimal network performance according to different network conditions.

Layer 3 Switch vs Layer 2

Why Is Layer 3 Switch Popular?

Normally, for the sake of safety and management with convenience, a LAN is divided into small LANs according to different factors such as function or geography to reduce the harm of broadcast storms. Therefore, VLAN technology is applied in a large number of networks. However, communication between different VLANs must be forwarded through routers. Such inter-network access is limited because of the limited number of ports and the slower routing speed. Based on this situation, a three-layer switch emerges. The layer 3 switch is designed for IP. The interface type is simple and has strong layer 2 packet processing capability. It is very suitable for data routing and switching in large LANs. In the third layer of the protocol, the function of the traditional router is replaced or partially completed, and at the same time it has almost the speed of the second layer exchange, and the price is relatively cheaper.

Advantages of Layer 3 Switch

From the paragraph above, you may have a blurry concept when it comes to layer 3 switch vs layer 2. Don’t worry. Here are the main advantages of layer 3 switch when comparing layer 3 switch vs layer 2:

  • Function: A layer 2 switch can only switch packets from one port to another, whereas a layer 3 switch is capable of both switching as well as routing.
  • MAC vs. IP Address: Layer 2 switches use devices’ MAC addresses to redirect data packets from source port to destination port. While, layer 3 switches use IP addresses to link various subnets together utilizing special routing protocols.
  • Applications: Layer 2 switch is hardware-based switch and uses ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) to maintain MAC address table. It uses layer 2 switching to break up a large domain into multiple smaller domains. Layer 3 switch is a mix of switch and router, which is commonly used for routing within virtual LANs (VLANs).
  • Speed: Normally, switches operating at layer 2 take less time than that operating at layer 3. Layer 2 switches just need to assign MAC addresses to reroute packets from source port to destination port in layer 2 switching.

Layer 3 Switch vs Router

In addition to layer 2 switch, router is another concept which is usually referred to when concerned with layer 3 switch. This is obvious to find from layer 3 switch definition. Then, what are their differences when comparing layer 3 switch vs router? Look at the following aspects:

  • Main function: The main function of a router is the routing function. The same is true for layer 3 switch as well. It is still a switch product but with some basic routing functions. Its main function is still data exchange.
  • Main applicable environment: The routing function of a layer 3 switch is usually relatively simple, because it is mainly a simple LAN connection. The router is designed mainly to meet different types of network connections including LANs and WANs. Its main function is routing and forwarding.
  • Differ in performance: Technically, routers and layer 3 switches have significant differences in packet switching operations. Routers typically perform packet switching by a microprocessor-based software routing engine, while layer 3 switches perform packet switching through hardware.

Conclusion

After all the above, you may get clearer about “what is layer 3 switch” and the main difference between layer 3 switch vs layer 2 and layer 3 switch vs router. In short, a layer 3 switch can implement both switching as well as routing function. It can define a plurality of ports as one virtual network, and it has no limit to the transmission bandwidth between networks.