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Design Guide
Figure 6. Alternative Network Configuration
Data Center Network Architecture
The architecture of the data center infrastructure must address the requirements necessary to
create a highly available, scalable, and secure network. This section describes the basic
architecture necessary to meet these goals. It is a synopsis of the Cisco Data Center Network
Architecture; for details about this architecture, visit:
create a highly available, scalable, and secure network. This section describes the basic
architecture necessary to meet these goals. It is a synopsis of the Cisco Data Center Network
Architecture; for details about this architecture, visit:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns304/net_design_guidance0900aecd80
0e4d2e.pdf
0e4d2e.pdf
.
Data Center Network Components
The terms front-end network and back-end network define the devices that comprise the
infrastructure of the data center and their general role. The front-end network is the IP routing and
switching environment. It provides client-to-server, server-to-server, and server-to-storage network
connectivity. The back-end network supports the storage-area-network (SAN) fabric and
connectivity between servers and other storage devices such as storage arrays and tape drives.
infrastructure of the data center and their general role. The front-end network is the IP routing and
switching environment. It provides client-to-server, server-to-server, and server-to-storage network
connectivity. The back-end network supports the storage-area-network (SAN) fabric and
connectivity between servers and other storage devices such as storage arrays and tape drives.
The front-end network contains two distinct functional areas called the aggregation and access
layers. Figure 7 depicts the front-end network and the services available at each layer.
layers. Figure 7 depicts the front-end network and the services available at each layer.
© 2008 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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