10GbE VM Backbone Switch

[theaksy]

Hi

 

I'm looking to replace my VM Backbone switch, wanting to take advantage of 10GbE. Wondered what people were using?

 

Want to put 10Gb cards in my VM hosts and SAN and get rid of the 4Gb LACP trunks I'm currently using.

 

Cheers!

[Domino]

We're using 2 of these... HP 5820-24XG-SFP+ Switch (JC102A) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products

 

Howver, if the gear had been closer to the core switch we'd have just put the 10GBe cards in the chassis...

[localzuk]

We're using 2 of these... HP 5820-24XG-SFP+ Switch (JC102A) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products

 

Howver, if the gear had been closer to the core switch we'd have just put the 10GBe cards in the chassis...

 

Getting a HP 5406zl and a 10GbE module for it would be a *lot* cheaper than those. (At least £3k cheaper). However, they are much bigger...

[theaksy]

I think I had always thought of keeping the VM Backbone separate to my core backbone for better performance, however the 5406zl has nearly 4 times the switching capacity of my current 5308xl so it should be well within its capacity. I am also looking to replace the 5308xl and start down the road of getting 10Gb to my edge switches too, so this could work out more cost effective.

[Domino]

Getting a HP 5406zl and a 10GbE module for it would be a *lot* cheaper than those. (At least £3k cheaper). However, they are much bigger...

 

Yeah, we have half filled them though, and have 6 HP p4500s to add yet...

[localzuk]

I think I had always thought of keeping the VM Backbone separate to my core backbone for better performance, however the 5406zl has nearly 4 times the switching capacity of my current 5308xl so it should be well within its capacity. I am also looking to replace the 5308xl and start down the road of getting 10Gb to my edge switches too, so this could work out more cost effective.

 

In an ideal world, where money flowed freely from the sky, yes, the VM backbone would be great to keep separate. However, if your school is like mine, you won't be able to afford it.

 

We run a 5406zl as our core, handling both VM and normal traffic just fine.

[theaksy]

Interesting you should mention the p4500 as that is one of the options for the new SAN. They have 10GBase-CX4 nics as an option I think? Do you happen to know what the part number is for the module for the 5406zl? I did try the HP site but the link take sme to printer cartridges...

 

Id be interested in whether you recommend the p4500s? I'm guessing so as you have 6 of them!

[Domino]

The p4500s are a very good option. They're snazzy units.

 

They couldn't quite deal with the load as out main storage, but they'll be great for the secondary. Up until recently they ran our hosted environments too...

[theaksy]

So you wouldnt recommend them to run a VM environment on?

 

Do you mind me asking what you have for your main storage?

[Domino]

Oh, no don't get me wrong. I totally would recommend them for a VM environment - they're *much* better than the MSA 2312s we had before. but our environment is pretty big - I doubt you'll hit the same limits we did.

 

We're now using an EMC VNX5300 - We've two clusters hanging off the storage, the below being the larger.

 

 

EDIT: I think this is the module for that switch btw: http://h30094.www3.hp.com/product.aspx?sku=10204758&pagemode=ca

Edited March 15, 2013 by Domino

[TronXP]

We use a Juniper 4500, as both core and VM environment.

[CyberNerd]

2 x 10Gb BNT switches:

IBM Redbooks | IBM Virtual Fabric 10Gb Switch Module for IBM BladeCenter