Fabric Networking

• Definition• Hype Cycle for Networking 2015

• Why?• The Traffic Flow• North-South Traffic• East-West Traffic• Operational Complexity• Bubbles, Shadows and the Tyranny of Trees

• Fabric Model• Business Impact• Vendors

Agenda

source: https://www.gartner.com/doc/3100229/hype-cycle-networking-communications-

Ethernet switching fabric is a type of data center Ethernet construct in which multiple physical switches interconnect and combine with hardware and software components to form a more elastic, automated switch network that behaves like one single switch with centralized management.

Ethernet fabric is not limited to a specific protocol across its switching fabric member nodes.

Definition

source: https://www.gartner.com/doc/3100229/hype-cycle-networking-communications-

Hype Cycle for Networking 2015

SDNFABRIC

Why?

& Storage& Storage

…because the data center has evolved, but not the network!

source: http://thenetworksurgeon.com/cisco-spine-and-leaf-architecture-discussion-nexus-5500-vs-6001/

The Traffic FlowNorth-South Traffi

cEast-West Traffic

source: http://thenetworksurgeon.com/cisco-spine-and-leaf-architecture-discussion-nexus-5500-vs-6001/

North-South TrafficNorth-South Traffi

c

source: http://thenetworksurgeon.com/cisco-spine-and-leaf-architecture-discussion-nexus-5500-vs-6001/

East-West TrafficEast-West Traffic

Data CenterA function of devices + interactions

Number of managed devices•Each switch is autonomous•7 managed devices

N*(N-1)2

Number of potential interactions•Shared protocols•21 potential interactions

*N = no. of managed devices

Operational Complexity

Bubbles, Shadows and the Tyranny of Trees

source: http://forums.juniper.net/t5/The-New-Network/Bubbles-Shadows-and-the-Tyranny-of-Trees/bc-p/78372#M383

source: http://forums.juniper.net/t5/The-New-Network/Bubbles-Shadows-and-the-Tyranny-of-Trees/bc-p/78372#M383

Bubbles, Shadows and the Tyranny of Trees

source: http://forums.juniper.net/t5/The-New-Network/Bubbles-Shadows-and-the-Tyranny-of-Trees/bc-p/78372#M383

Bubbles, Shadows and the Tyranny of Trees

source: http://thenetworksurgeon.com/cisco-spine-and-leaf-architecture-discussion-nexus-5500-vs-6001/

Fabric ModelSpine/Core

Leaf/Edge

Business ImpactEthernet fabric has become popular in data centers as early adopters claim these end-user benefits:•Simplicity and automation gained through Ethernet fabric can save a significant amount in labor costs.

•Ease of scaling the fabric up and down without performance impact can offer scalability benefits.

•Network virtualization and northbound APIs provided by the fabric management platform can integrate better with applications to provide application-aware network policy support.

•VENDOR LOCK IN

source: https://www.gartner.com/doc/3100229/hype-cycle-networking-communications-

4

IaaSWorkload definition, Optimization, & Orchestration

SDE Software Defined

ComputeSoftware Defined

StorageSoftware Defined

Networking

Resource Abstraction & Optimization

APIAPI

PaaSCloud

Operating Environment

datastore mobile devopsmiddleware services

Traditional Workloads

Services & Composition Patterns API & Integration Services

security

App

External Ecosystem

Marketplace

APIEconomy

servicesanalytics

API

commerce

API

collaboration

API

location

API

data

APIAPI SaaSSolutions

Applicability

source: http://forums.juniper.net/t5/The-New-Network/Bubbles-Shadows-and-the-Tyranny-of-Trees/bc-p/78372#M383

Vendors