Cisco Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3032 for Dell M1000E White Paper
White Paper
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Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 Series
Design Considerations
Design Considerations
Challenge
Companies continue to invest in blade server infrastructure as part of their strategies to manage
the sprawl of their server infrastructure. Research continues to show that companies are investing
in blade servers at a rate significantly higher than for any other server form factor or the server
market in general.
It is easy to understand why, because a migration to blade severs can simplify the server
environment, save space, simplify cable management, reduce power consumption, and reduce
cooling costs.
However, note as blade servers play a more prominent role in the data center that blade switches
do not just provide basic connectivity but also offer a level of function commensurate with their role
as a data center access layer switch.
Benefits of the Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 Series
Built on the market-leading Cisco
®
hardware and Cisco IOS
®
Software, the Cisco Catalyst
®
Blade
Switch 3100 Series is engineered with innovative technologies specifically designed to meet the
rigors of blade server–based application infrastructure. Specifically, the switch is designed to
support blade servers in their new role by delivering scalable, high-performance, highly resilient
connectivity while supporting ongoing initiatives to reduce server infrastructure complexity and total
cost of ownership (TCO).
Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 Series Solution
The Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 Series implements a number of technologies and features
that provide new options when designing blade server architectures. Specifically, the new switch
series provides new options for bandwidth, availability, and flexibility.
The Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3100 Series introduces an innovative new technology called the
virtual blade switch (VBS). This technology, which allows up to 8 physical switches to be combined
into a single logical switch, is the foundation of many of the added functions that the Cisco Catalyst
Blade Switch 3100 Series delivers.