Server Connecting Switch

[madhan.sripathineni]

Hi,

   Can some geek explain the Switch requirements which is mandatory to connect a server. i have come across some requirements like,

1. non-blocking architecture

2. forwarding rate

3. 1gig ethernet port

Please tell me what else is required to find a exact switch. Whether the presales or application developing poeple decides the amount of traffic/load a server can generate? what is the mechanism used to find the amount of traffic a server can generate.

Thanks!

[IAN WHITMORE]

There is nothing really mandatory. It must suit the company's needs though. For example you wouldn't but a switch with 100mb ports if the server has a 1gb port. So compatibility is more important.

Look out for:

1. Server port speed settings. Especially if it's 1gb or more.

2. Server port type. Copper? FIbre?

3. How many ports do you require?

4. Is this a core server?

5. How much traffic do you expect on this port? And on the switch as a whole?

6. What switches do you have in mind? 3750X? 4500? 6500?

7. Budget.

Of course most modern day switches are capable of handling millions of packets per second so throughput is not normally a problem.

HTH,

Ian

[madhan.sripathineni]

Hi Ian,

        Thanks for the info. I hope 3560/3750X & 2960 series are ideal for servers since they have non-blocking arch. In this case if i connect 24 servers in a same switch, can this switch forward the data efficiently out or it will choke ? I am confused on that forwarding rate part 

[IAN WHITMORE]

It shouldn't be a problem. Just for information, in our network core we have 20+ 2960 for server "access" which is turn go to a pair of 3750 "aggregation" which in turn go to a pair of 6500. Now our CORE servers (blade architecture) go direct to the 6500.

But under normal conditions it should be fine.

HTH,

Ian