Effects of virtualization and cloud computing on data center networks

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Figure 8: HP IRF technology can combine with Virtual Connect technology to flatten the L2 network.
This architecture lets you eliminate two levels of physical hardware switches by leveraging the vSwitch
for the access layer, aggregating multiple vSwitches at the Virtual Connect interface, and going
directly to the network core using IRF technology.
The architecture gives you:
• L2 flexibility optimized for VMs. A flattened L2 network lets you move VMs without the need for IP
address changes. A flattened L2 design supports long-range vMotion using VPLS (Virtual Private
LAN Service).
• Reduced cost of hardware components at the server edge. Using Virtual Connect FlexFabric lets you
reduce the amount of cables, adapters, and interconnect modules by 95% compared to a blade
infrastructure that uses pass-through modules.
• Reduced management complexity. Using large aggregation switches reduces the number of devices
that you have to provision and monitor when setting up VLANs for VMs. Virtual Connect lets you
manage network connections in a single management interface, especially if you use Virtual
Connect Enterprise Manager. VCEM can manage up to 250 Virtual Connect domains comprising
up to 16,000 blades.
• No need for STP or RSTP. IRF provides a loop-free network design, eliminating the need for STP
along with its bandwidth and latency limitations.
• Optimized frame forwarding and packet forwarding performance. VMs communicate between
each other, with their converged I/O resources served by an optimal L2 network, VLANs, and
LACP. This virtually eliminates the need for TCP flow. Virtual Connect also supports standard LACP
and lets you connect to HP networking upstream switches using IRF technology.
HP 12518
Link Aggregation
Traffic and VLANS span
both Links
IRF Framework
IRF
Fibre ChannelFibre Channel
No STP
VC FlexFabric
Hypervisor
vSwitch
C7000
Blade
V
M
Hypervisor
Blade
vSwitch
V
M
V
M
V
M
V
M
V
M
VC FlexFabric
Hypervisor
vSwitch
C7000
Blade
V
M
Hypervisor
Blade
vSwitch
V
M
V
M
V
M
V
M
V
M
LACPLACP
HP 12518
Network core