| The fastest IEEE standard for Ethernet, 10 Gigabit | | | | networks running at or close to maximum bandwidth |
| Ethernet (10GbE), was established in 2005 in | | | | at the lower transmission rate. |
| specification 802.3x. Just as the name implies, | | | | Reducing the power demands on servers also can |
| networks operating under standard 802.3x are | | | | increase the life of your hardware equipment. |
| capable of transmitting data at 10 gigabits per | | | | Servers don't have to work as hard when more |
| second. To put this into perspective 10 Gigabit | | | | bandwidth is available so the machines can keep cool |
| Ethernet (10GbE) is 100 times faster than Fast | | | | and run more efficiently. |
| Ethernet that transmits data 100 megabits per | | | | Servers running at lower temperatures obviously |
| second. | | | | have lower cooling demands, oftentimes |
| The business world has watched as 10 Gigabit | | | | proportionately the highest power-demanding |
| Ethernet (10GbE) has evolved from a new, | | | | requirement of a server. Further savings can be |
| bleeding-edge technology without a lot of compliant | | | | realized in staffing requirements of the 10 Gigabit |
| hardware into a mature, proven technology ready to | | | | Ethernet (10GbE) network deployment. |
| be deployed in many businesses seeking faster data | | | | Running at the higher transmission rate can present |
| transmission speeds. | | | | obvious consolidation options and the familiarity of |
| Firms are beginning to realize that the time may have | | | | Ethernet reduces the need to find specially trained IT |
| arrived to take advantage of the technology, | | | | personnel. Peripheral compatibility is not an issue and |
| especially when considering the resource demands of | | | | there is no need to reconfigure existing appliances |
| newly adapted networking technologies such as | | | | shared on the network to function on the 10GbE |
| server virtualization and data warehousing. Ever | | | | network. IT staff will no longer be stretched to the |
| increasing storage demands, bandwidth-hogging video, | | | | limits administering a network running at capacity. |
| and exponentially increasing transaction processing | | | | Also, once the new network technology is in place, |
| can form bottlenecks in networks operating under | | | | high-demand processing environments like data-mining |
| older Ethernet standards and further contribute to | | | | and blade server's benefit from the faster |
| the need to upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). | | | | throughput. A 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) network is |
| Companies operating with 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) | | | | inherently optimized to take advantage of new |
| are finding that as their company has grown so has | | | | virtualization techniques that make increased |
| their network. These firms are discovering that the | | | | demands of data transmission. Virtualized servers |
| backbone cables that provide the highest transfer | | | | take on the tasks of multiple servers, consolidating |
| rates at 1 gigabit per second 1(Gbps) are becoming | | | | those multiple machines into a single server, further |
| bogged down with the demands of their advanced | | | | eliminating hardware and administrative costs for the |
| networking system. Also, demand for Gigabit | | | | business decision-maker. |
| Ethernet has grown at the desktop level where | | | | Furthermore, newer networking protocols that are |
| increasingly there are needs for shared video and | | | | only possible on the higher bandwidth of 10GbE can |
| demanding business applications deployed by the | | | | be taken advantage of. This includes the high-speed |
| server. Efficient servers operating with virtualization | | | | storage protocol iWarp first developed in a joint |
| technology that previously required the use of | | | | project by Intel and Carnegie Mellon University in |
| several, independent machines also demand faster | | | | 1988, and iSCSI that links storage clusters together |
| data transmission rates. | | | | utilizing lower power requirements with the higher |
| Businesses are upgrading to 10 Gigabit Ethernet | | | | transmission rates. Deploying protocols such as these |
| (10GbE) to relieve these pressures involved with their | | | | across a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) network can |
| growing networks. Deploying the latest Ethernet | | | | result in a dramatic improvement in network |
| technology not only makes sense from a technical | | | | efficiency. |
| viewpoint, but also from a financial one as managers | | | | Ideally, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) should at least be |
| begin to realize that network bottlenecks are causing | | | | considered where it is needed most. Usually, data |
| inefficiencies and, therefore, are costing the firm | | | | centers and file servers have the greatest need for |
| money. | | | | upgrading to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). |
| Furthermore, deploying 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) | | | | Higher-speed transmission lines become particularly |
| directs businesses towards becoming more "green" | | | | important for the file server should video transmission |
| as power demands are reduced. A survey conducted | | | | or multimedia streaming be integrated into your |
| in the fall of 2007 of nearly 400 business and IT | | | | business. Video transmission requires the highest |
| professionals has confirmed this rising interest in 10 | | | | amount of bandwidth of any type of media and |
| Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). | | | | today's applications and desktop users are demanding |
| The survey confirmed that IT personnel are currently | | | | more and more multimedia in their day-to-day |
| evaluating the new technology and are testing | | | | operations. |
| different ways that the standard can be used with | | | | A lot of multimedia transmission also occurs when |
| servers, switches and network interface cards | | | | employees access the Internet. Once it is determined |
| (NICs). At the same time, firms are conducting price | | | | that employees truly need faster data transmission |
| feasibility research on rolling out the faster | | | | speeds, IT managers will need to seriously consider |
| transmission rates. Enterprises are finding from their | | | | 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). |
| internal research that network infrastructure and | | | | Another area that would benefit right off from 10 |
| company economics call for the move to 10 Gigabit | | | | Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) deployment are server |
| Ethernet (10GbE). | | | | farms where numerous transactions are carried out |
| During the time period since the standard was | | | | simultaneously. An inherent issue with some server |
| established, 10GbE technology has drastically | | | | farms is the ability to transfer multiple transactions |
| improved and costs involved in deploying it have | | | | simultaneously when one server is busy. The faster |
| dropped to levels where the cost is justified in | | | | transmission rates could eliminate the need for some |
| companies needing the upgrade. | | | | of the machines present in the server farm as well |
| Factor in the savings that increased network | | | | as the staffing requirements to manage them. |
| efficiency can generate, and the upgrade becomes a | | | | Deploying this newer technology sooner rather than |
| no-brainer. While 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) | | | | later keeps a technologically-savvy company at the |
| deployment is being considered, business customers | | | | cutting edge and able to operate more efficiently |
| are seeking the same solutions that have always | | | | than many of their business competitors who have |
| been desired from their network: a deployment | | | | not yet made this decision. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| optimized for a particular network that enables a | | | | (10GbE) protocol could easily prove to be a real |
| more efficient infrastructure and administration at an | | | | competitive advantage to your business. While some |
| affordable price. | | | | IT Managers are fickle about upgrading to 10 Gigabit |
| Upgrading to the latest standard is not a daunting | | | | Ethernet (10GbE), more and more are choosing to |
| task for IT managers.10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) still | | | | move forward with it. |
| utilizes familiar Ethernet connections and media to | | | | Below are useful tips in determining how to integrate |
| achieve these higher speeds. Organizations are able | | | | 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) in your existing network |
| to build upon their existing network infrastructure to | | | | architecture: |
| introduce the faster transmission rates. Current IT | | | | 1. Conduct a thorough analysis of your existing |
| staff already possess a wealth of knowledge about | | | | network architecture. |
| Ethernet, having spent years operating with Ethernet | | | | 2. Identify what existing hardware to be reconfigured |
| hardware and protocols since the 10Base-T (10 Mbps) | | | | for the upgrade and what hardware may need |
| technology was first used in the 1990s. | | | | replaced. |
| Fiber cabling, already present in many 1 Gigabit | | | | 3. Identify "in phases" what changes need to be |
| Ethernet (1GbE) networks is also used in transmitting | | | | made in regards to server hardware, server |
| at this faster rate. Commonly used Network | | | | virtualization, network storage, cabling and in your |
| Interface Cards (NIC cards) already present in PCs | | | | data centers to optimize the reduced power |
| are capable of gigabit transfer rates but are held | | | | demands of the 10GbE and minimize "server sprawl." |
| back by network administrators concerned about the | | | | 4. Correlate the proposed changes to align with |
| bottlenecks that would occur should they open up | | | | current and future business growth requirements of |
| desktop users to their highest possible speeds. | | | | your business. |
| Because of the widespread acceptance of Ethernet | | | | 5. Act on this collected information and communicate |
| technology, there is also no need for software | | | | it to your management team. The key aspect of the |
| upgrades to take advantage of the higher | | | | 10GbE deployment is the performance advantages |
| transmission capability of 10GbE. Servers will run the | | | | realized when the same network is suddenly able to |
| same applications that ran before the upgrade | | | | process significantly more data at a faster rate. |
| without a hitch. Applications are developed with | | | | These performance advantages also result in cost |
| Ethernet protocols in mind; 10 Gigabit Ethernet | | | | savings resulting from server consolidation as more |
| (10GbE) follows the same standards. | | | | and more servers become virtualized. Furthermore, |
| Another area where business owners are always | | | | the requirements from the IT staff are reduced and |
| looking to reduce costs is in power consumption. | | | | power consumption needs are not what they were |
| Power needs for servers are considerable, especially | | | | before with the network operating much more |
| when the cooling requirements for these sensitive | | | | efficiently. Finally, with more legislation coming |
| machines are factored in. When deployed correctly, | | | | requiring that businesses operate with less power, |
| 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) will reduce power | | | | many businesses are looking closely at upgrading 10 |
| consumption and lessen utility bills by reducing the | | | | Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). |
| footprint of the servers in the business. | | | | Disclaimer/Release of Liability Statement: Regarding |
| Running at higher transmission speeds over the same | | | | knowledge shared in this article, Michael G. Perry will |
| types of cables lessens the power demands of the | | | | not be held responsible for any consequential |
| servers. Also, processing demands that also generate | | | | damages resulting from the application of content or |
| higher power consumption are not wasted routing | | | | recommendations. |
| bottlenecked data to lines running under capacity in | | | | Copyright © 2008 Coprofit, All rights reserved. |