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Extreme Networks Data Sheet:
BlackDiamond X8
border applications. By supporting up to one million Layer 2/Layer 3 entries
on its 40GbE and 100GbE XL-series interface modules (future availability),
the BlackDiamond X8 eliminates the need for high cost traditional routers
in the data center core. The XL and non-XL modules can be deployed
together within the same core switch without impacting one another - not
only collapsing tiers to simplify the network, but also reducing build-out
and maintenance costs.
XL-series modules can also be deployed for the high-scale edge
applications where a large number of host routes or access control lists
(ACL) are typically required, such as hosted data centers. The 40GbE
module can also be used to break down the 40G ports into 10GbE ports for
high-density, high-scale edge connectivity.
High-Density, High-Scale
Server Virtualization
The BlackDiamond X8, powered by the ExtremeXOS® modular operating
system, provides a scalable foundation for virtualized applications. By
connecting up to 1 million Virtual Machines (VMs) per system, spread across
as many as 768 physically connected servers per chassis, the
BlackDiamond X8 enables a highly virtualized infrastructure.
ExtremeXOS runs on a high-performance control plane and helps simplify
network deployment and operation through VM-ready capabilities such as
ExtremeXOS Network Virtualization (XNV™) and Extreme Networks Direct
Attach™. XNV allows auto-configuration of Virtual Port Profiles (VPP) to
automatically detect and provision network policies in a virtualized data
center in a hypervisor agnostic manner, providing simplicity in managing
VM mobility in data-centers. If a VM is moved from one physical server to
the other, associated port policies on the connecting switch port are
automatically moved. Direct Attach™ eliminates the virtual switch layer,
simplifying the network and improving performance.
Several other virtualization features, such as Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation
(M-LAG), Port Isolation and Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links
(TRILL) (future availability), enable the design of flatter network fabrics for
large scale virtualized and multi-tenant data centers, eliminating the need
for dedicated networks and the complex Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).
Reliable Delivery of Converged
Storage Traffic
The BlackDiamond X8 is an optimal solution for high-throughput storage
applications, synchronous replication, and disaster recovery within data
center and HPC environments. The BlackDiamond X8 supports IEEE Data
Center Bridging (DCBx) for reliable delivery of IP storage (iSCSI, NFS, CIFS)
traffic over a single converged network. With IEEE compliant lossless
Ethernet implementation of Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Enhanced
Transmission Selection (ETS), storage traffic can be prioritized, queued and
bandwidth guaranteed.
The BlackDiamond X8 also supports transit Fiber Channel over Ethernet
(FCoE) for carrying converged fiber channel storage traffic. In converged
networks, TRILL enables the building of flat and efficient networks for
storage traffic while eliminating complications resulting from STP. With
BlackDiamond X8, storage nodes can be connected using wire-speed
10GbE or 40GbE to provide a highly reliable yet flexible and cost-effective
network to provision reliable storage services.
Low Latency for Faster Response Time
For low-latency applications such as High Performance Computing (HPC)
or High Frequency Trading (HFT), the BlackDiamond X8 provides only 2.3
microsecond port-to-port latency with a single-tier “fabric in a box” design,
and only 3.9 microsecond latency with a two-tier “open fabric” architecture
using Extreme Networks Summit® X670 series Top-of-Rack switch with the
BlackDiamond X8.
With the growth of mobile devices, an increasing number of applications
are hosted in data centers, resulting in increased east-west and north-south
traffic. Though total latency is a result of the compute, storage and
transmission latencies, the BlackDiamond X8 can deliver the benefits of
lower network latency to improve customer experiences and overall
response time.
Orchestration through
Software Defined Networking
Software Defined Networking (SDN) is revolutionizing the way networks
are designed and operated. SDN helps in virtualization, visibility,
optimization and orchestration for better handling of the network, compute
and storage from a single and granular command and control perspective.
The BlackDiamond X8 supports standards-based Open Flow to work with
third party SDN controllers and provides a complete SDN solution. The
BlackDiamond X8 enables SDN by providing a programmable control path
and a scalable fabric that can be programmed in an efficient manner.
Additionally, the BlackDiamond X8 supports the Open Stack plugin for a
cloud-based open operating system.
The BlackDiamond X8 can be leveraged in hybrid networks for
simultaneous SDN and non-SDN based deployments. Off-the-shelf or
home-grown SDN based applications can be used for network control,
traffic engineering, quality of service, SLA management, monitoring,
analytics, virtualization and other advanced implementations.
Inter-Data Center Connectivity
The BlackDiamond X8 is designed with combined data center core and
border connectivity in mind. For this reason, the BlackDiamond X8
XL-series 40GbE (which also can be used as 10GbE) and 100GbE XL
modules offer more capacity to store large scale internet routing tables and
