QLogic QLE3442-RJ-SP User Manual
SN0430991-00 Rev. A 10/14 2
10GbE Networking Made Simple with the
QLogic 3442-RJ 10GBASE-T
Technology Brief
10GbE Fibre Optic vs. BASE-T Mix
Source: Dell’Oro Group July 2014
10GbE PROVIDES ECONOMIC RELIEF
Using 10GBASE-T with structured UTP cabling addresses the cost and
cabling issues associated with 10GbE networks, making 10GbE available
to a much broader market. 10GBASE-T with CAT6a UTP cabling is the
most flexible solution for most data center 10GbE networking applications.
The raw cost of the cable itself is far less than either optical fiber or
SFP+DAC cables.
cabling issues associated with 10GbE networks, making 10GbE available
to a much broader market. 10GBASE-T with CAT6a UTP cabling is the
most flexible solution for most data center 10GbE networking applications.
The raw cost of the cable itself is far less than either optical fiber or
SFP+DAC cables.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
1. Longer Reach than SFP+ DAC
While twinaxial Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables have been successful
over very short distances, the more familiar UTP cabling—which has
become so ubiquitous in today’s data centers—affords an even lower cost
solution with much longer reach, up to 100 meters. This makes CAT6a
UTP cabling the best universal solution for 10GbE requirements in today’s
data centers.
While twinaxial Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables have been successful
over very short distances, the more familiar UTP cabling—which has
become so ubiquitous in today’s data centers—affords an even lower cost
solution with much longer reach, up to 100 meters. This makes CAT6a
UTP cabling the best universal solution for 10GbE requirements in today’s
data centers.
2. Lower Deployment Cost than
Optical Cabling
CAT6a UTP cable is low cost and
widely available. While optical
fiber cable is a great solution for
long distance (hundreds of meters
or more) 10GbE network backbone
requirements, for connections
less than 100 meters—typical for
data center installations—CAT6a
cabling provides the optimum low-
cost, easy-to-use solution.
Optical Cabling
CAT6a UTP cable is low cost and
widely available. While optical
fiber cable is a great solution for
long distance (hundreds of meters
or more) 10GbE network backbone
requirements, for connections
less than 100 meters—typical for
data center installations—CAT6a
cabling provides the optimum low-
cost, easy-to-use solution.
3. Easier to Install than Optical or DAC Cabling
CAT6a cabling is inexpensive and easy to install with common wire-
cutting and crimping tools. Familiar UTP wiring and RJ-45 connectors are
compatible with existing 1GbE switches and NICs.
CAT6a cabling is inexpensive and easy to install with common wire-
cutting and crimping tools. Familiar UTP wiring and RJ-45 connectors are
compatible with existing 1GbE switches and NICs.
4. Ease of Migration
CAT6a UTP cabling is backward compatible with existing 1000BASE-T
networks, allowing the cabling to be upgraded before upgrading the
network switches and adapters. This allows a smooth transition path for
data centers with an installed base of CAT5e cabling that they need to
upgrade. Switches that support 10GBASE-T also support 1GbE, allowing
for a controlled transition to 10GbE over time.
CAT6a UTP cabling is backward compatible with existing 1000BASE-T
networks, allowing the cabling to be upgraded before upgrading the
network switches and adapters. This allows a smooth transition path for
data centers with an installed base of CAT5e cabling that they need to
upgrade. Switches that support 10GBASE-T also support 1GbE, allowing
for a controlled transition to 10GbE over time.
5. Lower Power
Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) lowers adapter power up to 27% by not
toggling the I/O in the absence of a signal.
Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) lowers adapter power up to 27% by not
toggling the I/O in the absence of a signal.
By solving these key technical, backward compatibility, and cost
challenges with 10GbE deployment, 10GBASE-T has become the catalyst
that finally makes 10GbE affordable and effective for use across the data
center.
challenges with 10GbE deployment, 10GBASE-T has become the catalyst
that finally makes 10GbE affordable and effective for use across the data
center.
10GBASE-T ADAPTERS FOR RACK AND TOWER SERVERS
The QLogic QLE3442-RJ 10GBASE-T adapters include these benefits:
•
Backward compatibility—the adapters can be deployed on existing
1GbE and 10GbE networks, providing easy migration to 10GbE
1GbE and 10GbE networks, providing easy migration to 10GbE
•
Higher bandwidth and superior server virtualization than existing 1GbE
•
Familiar use of CAT6a cabling in the data center
•
Cable distance support up to 100 meters
•
Cable and port consolidation vs. multiple 1GbE connections
•
Eliminate the need for Top-of-Rack switches
CAT6A UTP Cabling with RJ-45 Connectors
“With QLogic’s latest generation of 10GBASE-T solutions using
familiar CAT6a UTP cabling, the costs for power and equipment have
been dramatically reduced, paving the way for 10GbE deployment
throughout the data center. These 10GBASE-T solutions are
available today for rack and tower server offerings.”
familiar CAT6a UTP cabling, the costs for power and equipment have
been dramatically reduced, paving the way for 10GbE deployment
throughout the data center. These 10GBASE-T solutions are
available today for rack and tower server offerings.”
– Greg Scherer, CTO Office,
Product Strategy,
QLogic Corporation