IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T
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technologies like L2 trunk failover, advanced VLAN-based failover, VRRP, and HotLink™.
Multicast: Supports IGMP Snooping v1, v2, and v3 with 2 K IGMP groups, as well as Protocol
Independent Multicast such as PIM Sparse Mode or PIM Dense Mode.
Converged fabric: The IBM switch is designed to support CEE and connectivity to FCoE
gateways. CEE will help enable clients to combine storage, messaging traffic, VoIP, video, and
other data on a common data center Ethernet infrastructure. FCoE will help enable highly efficient
block storage over Ethernet for consolidating server network connectivity. As a result, clients can
deploy a single server interface for multiple data types, which can simplify both deployment and
management of server network connectivity, while maintaining the high availability and
robustness required for storage transactions.
The IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264T offers the following benefits:
Low cost cabling: The ability to leverage CAT6 or CAT6A cabling can save clients thousands of
dollars for connections anywhere from a couple feet to 100 meters compared to SFP+ models.
High performance: For those requiring the use of 10GBase-T the 10 Gb/40 Gb capabilities
provides the best combination of non-blocking line-rate switching with throughput of 1.2 Tbps.
Lower power and better cooling: The IBM RackSwitch G8264T’s typical power consumption is
385 W, which is a fraction of the power consumption of most competitive 10GBase-T offerings.
Unlike side-cooled switches, which can cause heat recirculation and reliability concerns, the
G8264T’s front-to-rear or rear-to-front cooling design reduces data center air conditioning costs
by having airflow match the servers in the rack. In addition, variable speed fans assist in
automatically reducing power consumption.
VM-Aware Networking: VMready™ software on the switch simplifies configuration and improves
security in virtualized environments. VMready automatically detects virtual machine movement
between physical servers and instantly reconfigures each VM’s network policies across VLANs to
keep the network up and running without interrupting traffic or impacting performance. VMready
works with all leading VM providers, such as VMware, Citrix, Xen, and Microsoft.
Layer 3 functionality: The IBM switch includes Layer 3 functionality, which provides security and
performance benefits, as inter-VLAN traffic stays within the switch. This switch also provides the
full range of Layer 3 protocols from static routes for technologies such as Open Shortest Path
First (OSPF) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) for enterprise customers.
Seamless interoperability: IBM switches perform seamlessly with other vendors' upstream
switches.
Fault tolerance: These IBM switches learn alternate routes automatically and perform faster
convergence in the unlikely case of a link, switch, or power failure. The switch uses proven
technologies like L2 trunk failover, advanced VLAN-based failover, VRRP, and HotLink™.
Multicast: Supports IGMP Snooping v1, v2, and v3 with 2 K IGMP groups, as well as Protocol
Independent Multicast such as PIM Sparse Mode or PIM Dense Mode. Use Table 3 to select the
appropriate switch.
IBM RackSwitch G8264
IBM RackSwitch G8264T
Port types
Based on SFP+
Based on 10GBase-T
Latency
Lower latency - 880 nanosecond
3.2 microseconds
Typical power
Lower power - 275 watts
Competitive vs. other 10GBase-T - 385W
Copper cable length
Up to 8.5m
Up to 100m
Total distance
Up to 40KM with Transceiver
Limited to 100m
TCO
Less than other SFP+
Lower TCO – for 100m and less
(based on adapter, cables and switch)
Table 3. RackSwitch G8264 and RackSwitch G8264T features
Warranty information
The IBM RackSwitch includes an IBM standard 3-year hardware and software warranty. IBM also
reserves the right to provide new features as part of future software releases. Software Upgrade
