Solved: Cisco Nexus Switches

jfraasch · ‎10-29-2009

I am looking to deploy a Cisco 5100 series Nexus switch for 10Gbps.

I know the Nexus is supposed to work with the converged network adapter (for 10Gbps, FCoE, etc) but can it work without a CNA?

I want to put some 10Gbps passthrough modules in my Dell m1000 chassis and run cables directly to the Nexus switch.

I know the Nexus may be overkill for this solution but it is a step in the UCS solution for us.

Thoughts?

James

inch · ‎10-31-2009

Hi, you don't need any special drivers for "low latency" 10gb ethernet on a 5k.

for example, non-nexus 5k switch

PING 10.10.10.1 (10.10.10.1) 56(84) bytes of data.

64 bytes from 10.10.10.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.530 ms

64 bytes from 10.10.10.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.618 ms

and a nexus 5000 with a qlogic 8152

PING 172.16.78.3 (172.16.78.3) 56(84) bytes of data.

64 bytes from 172.16.78.3: icmp_seq=1 ttl=128 time=0.150 ms

64 bytes from 172.16.78.3: icmp_seq=2 ttl=128 time=0.134 ms

Your oracle rac cluster will fly!

View solution in original post

Jerry Ye · ‎10-29-2009

The Nexus 5000 supports native 10GE adapter, and the N5010's first 8 ports supports 10GE/1GE, and it has total of 20 ports of fix 10GE support (without expansion module)

"The first 8 fixed ports are dual speed, supporting both 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet in hardware"

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9670/data_sheet_c78-461802.html

HTH,

jerry

jfraasch · ‎10-29-2009

Do you have an idea if you need specific drives to run low-latency 10Gbps?

Will the 10Gbps from my 10Gbps pass-through modules automatically run at low latency or will it require something additional. This is for an Oracle Private Interconnection so latency is is utmost importance.

Thanks.

Jerry Ye · ‎10-29-2009

Do you mean low-latency hard drive? I am not an expert on computer hardware and I am not sure.

For the Nexus 5000, delay will be minimal since it is doing cut-through.

Regards,