Making Connections and Influencing Data

As more devices connect to local and global networks, architectures of the past must give way to new topologies and techniques to allow virtualization and convergence of network data and traffic. The trick is to update network management challenges without significantly impacting network traffic.

By consolidating servers, utilization rates can increase, but this requires more functionality on Top of Rack (ToR) switches. With virtualized servers hosting four to 10 Virtual Machines (VMs), 80 to 350 applications can be on the backs of a single ToR. This can make it more susceptible to much larger peaks and valleys of traffic.

And the need for data to be in multiple places at any one time is increasing. A single transaction such as a Tweet, for example, may pass through four or more data centers scattered around the globe. Dynamic flexible and scaleable architectures are needed to respond adequately to the unpredictable and oftentimes erratic character of today’s traffic.

This becomes even truer as everything becomes socialized. The single network link to each user is replacing land-line phones, local area networking, live and often bi-directional video and audio, and so on. The need for data and speed is increasing so fast, that next-generation services and apps are depending on the instant and high-speed access to data and devices anywhere in the world.

Both protocol and hardware techniques will be called upon to help streamline data flow and routing. For example, one problem that can rear its head is the management of virtual switches. These are very dependent on policies and administrator supervision in order to work, and it is not uncommon to have different policies along the same data paths. This can manifest as conflicts that need to be resolved.

An emerging Edge Virtual Bridge (EVB) standard from IEEE strives to resolve these by assigning Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregation, which routes all network traffic from a VM to a physical switch that houses all policies for connectivity, flow control, and security. What’s more, depending on if the data needs to be sent to another VM in the same server, a technique known as the hairpin turn can reroute data directly. Other proposed fixes include adding VN-tags to a header field specific for virtual routing.

Bigger Bag of Tricks

The industry pioneers designing and making the parts and systems for next-generation routers, switches, and VMs are finding that they need to have more expertise and talent in-house to effectively merge the new hardware with updated protocols, firmware, and approaches. Part of this approach involves partnerships, and another part involves acquisitions.

One case in point is the acquisition of Emulex Corp. by Avago Technologies. Avago is a leader in fiber optics and parallel optics for base stations and servers, storage, and such connectivity technologies as components, modules, and systems. Emulex is a provider of connectivity solutions, including provisioning as well as end-to-end application visibility and optimization. The company’s expertise in managing bandwidth, latency, security, and virtualization dovetails well with Avago’s multi-channel racks of switches, routers, and ToR virtual machines.

As more advanced functionality, density, and capabilities move towards highly integrated ToR switches and VMs, new challenges and solutions will emerge. With even more in-house connectivity expertise, Avago is now better equipped to move faster and provide stronger solutions.

Visibility of data and applications from end to end is part of the challenges of newer network topologies that address the evolving needs of ever increasing traffic and speeds. (Source: Emulex Corp.)

By: Jon Gabay