How are enterprise and datacenter switches different?

[hulamrut]

I just wanted to understand what are the key differences when a vendor name a series as enterprise and datacenter. For example Catalyst vs Nexus or EX vs QFX in Juniper world. Is there difference in throughput, port density, speed or features available in code etc. Also if any explanation on what demanded all these specific differences for that deployment. Like EVPN-VXLAN is must as it's the industry standard for data center. May be east-west traffic is more on DC which demanded certain port density/speeds etc. I'm looking for any such explanations on design decisions.

[M02@rt37]

Hello @hulamrut,

The distinction between enterprise and data center networking equipment often lies in the specific requirements and demands of their respective environments. 

-- Port Density and Speed:  gnerally designed for a mix of lower and higher-speed ports (1G, 10G, 40G). Focus on a balance of port density for connecting end-user devices, access points, and lower-tier switches.

-- Throughput may be more tailored to typical enterprise traffic patterns, which might involve a higher ratio of north-south traffic (traffic going in and out of the network).

-- Feature sets may include a mix of Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, with emphasis on ease of use and manageability. Advanced features like sophisticated Quality of Service (QoS), security, and multicast support.

As concerned Data Center Networking Equipment:

Often designed for higher-speed ports (10G, 25G, 40G, 100G) to handle the high-throughput demands within the data center. Emphasis on providing high port density for connecting servers and storage devices. Throughput is geared towards handling high volumes of east-west traffic within the data center, which is common in modern application architectures.

Specialized features like support for EVPN-VXLAN (as you mentioned), which is a popular choice for overlay networks in data centers. Also, advanced capabilities for automation, programmability, and integration with orchestration systems.

Data centers often experience more significant east-west traffic (between servers) compared to traditional enterprise networks, influencing the need for higher-speed interconnections. DC usually require high-scale solutions due to the large number of servers, virtual machines, and applications they support. Switches often integrate tightly with virtualization platforms and automation tools to enable efficient management and scaling.

Adherence to industry standards like EVPN-VXLAN, which has become a common choice for overlay networks in data centers.