HP Performance Optimized Datacenter (POD) Networking Guide

Overview 4
Overview
Networking introduction
This guide is a primer and does not cover all networking best practices for the PODs.
The customer has responsibility for providing the airflow direction of the network devices that are intended to
be installed, especially if the devices are customer-furnished equipment. This must be managed by the
account team and the network solution architect.
Devices that require hot aisle servicing or maintenance must be placed in racks that allow full rear access.
This document includes hardware that is optimized for the HP POD 240a, HP POD 40c, and HP POD 20c
airflow cooling and hardware that will need special consideration.
Network best practices
The following best practices are established for all POD network configurations:
• Ensure that customer intent is finalized and documented.
• Assign a network specialist as early as possible (from the customer side) to create and finalize the POD
network design and configuration to include point-to-point specification.
• Refer to this guide to understand which network devices require customization and, if possible, install
network devices recommended by HP.
• Use the network switch enclosure option, SKU AT053A, for those devices that utilize side-to-side air-flow
cooling, and use side panels, SKU AT960A, as required.
• Understand the hardware size specifications of the equipment being placed inside the racks of the POD
to ensure interference limitations are taken into consideration.
• Arrange to have the external telecom box sized according to the customer's requirement. HP does not
provide this box.
• Plan accordingly for high cable counts aggregating to core network racks.
Planning considerations
The POD can support various Tier x interconnects via an External Telecom Panel or direct termination at the
rack level via patch panels.
An External Telecom Panel enables each customer to adjust to fit their specific site requirements. The customer
should plan to either install an External Telecom Panel as part of their site design, or plan another solution for
demarcation in to the POD.
In planning the correct solution, the customer must consider:
• What Telecom panel rating is required?
• What is the size of the Telecom panel (H x W x D)?