Use 10Gbase-t Switch to Upgrade Network

Why Use 10Gbase-t Switch?

First of all, compared to other 10G connections, such as SFP+ fiber and SFP+ DAC, 10G copper switch or 10Gbase-t switch offers IT managers a far greater level of flexibility in connecting devices in the data center and accommodating top of rack, middle of row and end of row network topologies. In addition, 10Gbase-t switch, working with existing structured cabling systems, provides IT managers the most flexibility in server placement.

Table 1: 10Gbase-t switch has greater design flexibility compared to other 10G alternatives.

Second, as 10Gbase-t is backward compatible with 1000base-t, the 10Gbase-t switch will be able to auto-negotiate/select and communicate effectively with legacy Gbit/s and 100Mbit/s server connections that are cabled with cat6 and cat6a cabling. While for any fiber based systems that cannot support lower speeds, wholesale rip and replace server upgrades may be required in addition to 10GbE switch upgrades. Thus 10G copper switch can help IT keep costs down while offering easy migration to 10GbE.

In a word, 10Gbase-t switch provides the most flexibility, the lowest cost media and is backward compatible with existing Gigabit Ethernet networks.

Use 10Gbase-t Switch to Upgrade Network

It’s simple to use 10G copper switch, you can use the same familiar RJ45 network cable to connect the 10Gbase-t switch with your servers, storages and other switches, and they go up the same 100 meters as in the Gigabit network. Just make sure you pick up a cat6a RJ45 cable. Here takes Nodexon.COM 48 port 10Gbase-t aggregation switch with 40gb QSFP+ uplink as an example to show the 10Gbase-t solution.

ToR (Top of Rack)

In ToR architecture, the 48 port 10Gbase-t switch with 4 QSFP+ uplink , residing at the top of each server rack, provides the flexibility of connecting existing 1000base-t or older switches and servers to newer 10GbE equipment using cat6a patch cords. Generally, 10Gbase-t aggregation switch is well suited to ToR architecture in the following situations:

• New data center without any existing cabling or equipment
• Need for scalability and ease of adding cabinets
• Ease of migration from 10G networking toward 40G
• High-density layouts using large numbers of servers per cabinet
• Reduced cable congestion
• Modular, pre-configured cabinet

EoR (End of Row)

Standard structured cabling practices are used in the EoR to provide efficient cable organization, allowing the user to take optimal advantage of 10Gbase-t switch. Cat6a cables can be used for the vast majority of connections between switches, fabric extenders, and servers, due to the 100-meter reach and backward compatibility of 10G copper switch. The utilization of RJ45 copper patch panels can simplify management and changes to the environment while helping to reduce the potential for airflow blockage. Typically, 10Gbase-t switch is well suited to EoR architecture in the following situations:

Existing EoR networks with base-t cabling—currently the most common layout

• ompatibility with existing GbE or slower networks
• Potential for frequent network changes, which are easier to do
• with structured cabling
• Centralized security and network management
• Sensitivity to downtime and strong value on redundancy
• Optimized port utilization

Summary

10G copper switch, or 10Gbase-t switch, which can be used for all data center architectures, is well suited for widespread use in today’s networks. With the advantages of high flexibility for new data centers and the easiest upgrade path for existing ones, 10G copper switch simplifies data center infrastructure, and can meet the demands of virtualized and ever-flattening networks. The combination of reliability, flexibility, backward compatibility, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and a 100-meter reach makes 10Gbase-t switch an ideal choice for next-generation networks.