10Gb/s Ethernet and 10GBase-T for the data center
Before the advent of widespread 10GBase-T, most 10GbE adapters and switches support optical fiber or direct attach copper (DAC) connectivity via expensive SPFs that are not compatible with twisted pair cabling systems typically used in data centers. The result of this was using a switch to provide backwards compatibility with 1GbE. However, the next wave of 10GbE solutions are leveraging low-cost, backwards compatible 10GBase-T that is changing the cost complexity and cabling issues around the migration to 10GbE in the data center.
Analysts such as Crehan Research predict a greater acceleration of 10GbE adoption with a significant factor being emerging support for the 10GBase-T standard (based on the chart below, which indicates 10GBase-T is expected to grow exponentially). 10GBase-T enables 10GbE connections with unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables over distances up to 100 meters. This article explores how data centers can approach the migration to 10GbE using 10GBase-T adapters that are backward compatible with 1GbE and offer support for converged network environments where local area network (LAN) and storage area network (SAN) traffic move over one cable.
Data center wiring today
Today’s data centers have cables covering thousands of miles with a mix of optical and twisted pair cables—optical for Fibre Channel storage networks and twisted pair for IP networks, primarily 1GbE. Optical fiber provides the high-performance bandwidth required for Fibre Channel and twisted pair is the pervasive, cost-effective solution for Ethernet connections.
10GBase-T challenges
The biggest challenges with 10GBase-T have been performance characteristics of the cable and the power required to support 10Gb bandwidth with server adapters and switch ports. Part of the solution is Cat 6 and Cat 6a cabling that has improved insulation which minimizes alien cross-talk. The other part of the solution is reduced power requirements for newer 10GbE controllers that are used for server adapters and switches. Reducing the power consumption for the controller allows more power to be used for the physical connection (PHY) that sends signals over the twisted pair cable.
With these improvements, 10GbE adapter and switch providers are introducing 10GBase-T support that is becoming widely available at low prices. This will drive the accelerated adoption of 10GbE. The next step will be next-generation rack servers that ship using 10GBase-T for the LAN on motherboard (LOM) controller that is integrated into the server. In this phase, 10GBase-T will become the default network connection.
Need for backward compatibility
A high percentage of data centers are currently using 1GbE over twisted pair cable, particularly at the server access layer. Deploying 10GbE with optical fiber or DAC connectivity was an all or nothing proposition. 10GbE switches were required at the server access layer since there was no backward compatibility with 1GbE networks. 10GBase-T solves this problem. Servers with 10GBase-T adapters will auto-negotiate to support 1GbE or 10GbE. That enables you to deploy servers today in a 1GbE environment, and then migrate to 10GbE tomorrow, thereby future-proofing your investment.
One of the benefits of moving to 10GbE is the option to converge network and storage traffic on a common set of adapters, cables and switches, thereby reducing operational expenditures (OpEx) and capital expenditures (CapEx). A converged network streamlines and eliminates repeated administrative tasks such as server and network provisioning with a "wire once" deployment model. The converged network also improves business agility letting data centers dynamically and rapidly respond to requests for new or expanded services, new servers and new configurations. Furthermore, with a unified network, data centers can reduce their capital requirements by:
- 30 percent for adapters and switches,
- 80 percent for cabling,
- 40 percent for power and cooling.
Support for 10GBase-T will also enable more 10GbE deployment for network attached storage (NAS) and iSCSI storage, as both rely on an Ethernet network and are constrained with 1GbE. Next-generation iSCSI and NAS storage solutions are based on 10GbE to support a full range of data center applications, including database and video content. Today’s universal converged network adapters are now fully supporting iSCSI and NAS storage with high performance offloads for networking and storage protocols.
10GbE for the cloud
Cloud computing is emerging as the next cost-saving technology for data centers. In order to satisfy performance demands with a highly-efficient infrastructure, cloud providers are also moving to 10GbE networks. 10GBase-T will make this possible using low-cost twisted pair cables. Most of the cloud data centers are "green-field" deployments that can wire once using Cat 6a cabling for maximum flexibility.
Moving forward
As you plan your data center migration from 1GbE to 10GbE, be sure to purchase equipment that is backward-compatible and provides support for converged networking. Industry experts and leading- edge network vendors provide extensive tools and advice to that can help you optimize your transition to 10GbE. With 10GBase-T, the migration to 10GbE will be cost-effective and meet performance and budget requirements.
Shaun Walsh is vice president of marketing at Emulex Corp.
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