Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110 for IBM BladeCenter

The Cisco Catalyst^® Switch Module 3110 for IBM BladeCenter represents the next-generation networking solution for blade server environments. Built from the ground up on the purpose-built Cisco® hardware and market-leading Cisco IOS® Software, the Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110 (Figure 1) is engineered with unique technologies specifically designed to meet the rigors of blade server-based application infrastructure. Specifically, the switch is designed to deliver scalable, high-performance, highly resilient connectivity while supporting ongoing IT initiatives to reduce server infrastructure complexity and total cost of ownership (TCO).

Figure 1. Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110 for IBM BladeCenter

Configurations

Configuration 1: Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110G for IBM BladeCenter

• Supports up to 4 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports: 4 10/100/1000BASE-T ports

Configuration 2: Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110X for IBM BladeCenter

• Supports one X2-based 10 Gigabit Ethernet port

Virtual Blade Switch Technology

Main Benefits of VBS Technology

• VBS reduces infrastructure complexity, improves network resiliency, and increases the operational manageability of the blade-switching environment.

• VBS offers exceptional scalability by providing up to 80 Gbps of upstream bandwidth.

• VBS can increase the bandwidth available to a server sixfold.

• Because the VBS appears as a single node, both the Layer 2 and Layer 3 topologies are greatly simplified, increasing fabric stability and reducing convergence times after a topology change.

• The capability to mix-and-match 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches provides customers with a cost-effective migration path. In addition, the advanced operations and troubleshooting tools reduce operating expenses.

Figure 2. Switches in a Rack Are Treated as a Single Logical Switch

• Easy: Easy to operate and deploy

– Because there are fewer switches to manage with VBS technology, helps solve the problem of switch sprawl

– Provides consistent management interface and tools throughout the Cisco data center and blade switch portfolio, accelerating service provisioning and simplifying troubleshooting

– Through VBS technology, provides operational transparency and efficiency during replacement and addition of switches

• Smart: Feature-rich, "server-smart" networking solution

– Provides highly resilient LAN uplinks to increase blade server and virtual machine availability using innovations such as trunk failover and EtherChannel

– Helps secure application servers and virtual machines using private VLANs and access control lists (ACLs)

– Provides intelligent congestion management mechanisms to optimize network bandwidth using quality of service (QoS)

– Provides advanced Layer 2 and 3, IPv4 and IPv6, and multicast capabilities to facilitate smart end-to-end server networking in the data center

• Flexible: Flexible solution to scale resources and facilitate data center virtualization

– Through VBS, provides flexibility to configure network topology based on application needs such as performance, scalability, and resiliency

– Through VBS, provides investment protection and a flexible transition path with the capability to mix and match Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches

– Provides flexible options for configuration and management such as a command-line interface (CLI) and a GUI

Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110 Software

Features and Benefits

Table 1. Features and Benefits

Product Specifications

Table 2. Hardware Specifications

Table 3. Management and Standards Support

Table 4. Safety and Compliance

Ordering Information

Table 5. Ordering Information

Service and Support

Table 6. Service and Support

For More Information

• United States and Canada (toll free): 800-553-6387

• Europe: 32-2-778-4242

• Australia: 612-9935-4107

• Other: 408-526-7209

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