Networking Consolidation
What do we mean by networking consolidation?
Networking consolidation is about reducing the economic, environmental and physical footprint of network infrastructure and simplifying it.
Why is networking consolidation needed?
So-called 3-tier networking (core, distribution and edge) is outdated. The development of collapsed topologies means that fewer physical switching devices are needed to deliver high-density high-speed networks. The convergence of fibre channel and other Storage Area Network technologies onto Ethernet also allows the physical and logical provision to be simplified and provided on a standard platform throughout the network estate.
What is the problem?
The relentless increase in the number of interconnections between networks, driven by applications without traditional boundaries, is making network administration, support and alerting more and more challenging.
As server and storage technology progresses, traditional network switching reference models do not provide adequate support for server consolidation and virtualisation.
What is the networking consolidation solution?
Advanced switching fabrics allow for the connection of many individual network switches to create a single virtual device. While proprietary backplane extension cables have been available for some time to stack switches, it is only the extension of the switching backplane over Ethernet and fibre that has allowed a breakthrough to the next level of consolidated networks.
As an example it is now possible to represent a 4000-port data centre network, comprised of over 100 physical switches, as a single logical switch, configured and managed as one entity. This technology also removes complexity at distribution and edge layers allowing multiple switches to be managed as a single distribution or edge device.
Networking consolidation has delivered power reduction, heat reduction and increased mean time between failure (MTBF). Compared to installations just 5 years old, we would expect to be able to achieve:
- Approximately 40% reduction in power consumption
- Approximately 30% reduction in heat output
- Approximately 20% increase in life-span (MTBF) of major components
The Data Integration approach
Network audit and modelling of TCO reductions
- We assess your network and how many devices could be made redundant with a refresh
- We will advise cost savings and how a refresh supports your business and technical strategy
Network design, implementation and management
- Industry leading architects with huge experience of delivering innovative designs
- Highly qualified and fully accredited engineers to implement and migrate
- Dedicated programme management to ensure smooth transition
- ITILv3 based 24x7x365 service management teams to support incident, problem and change management and reporting
Network capacity planning and enterprise management and reporting
- Enterprise NMS tools to support our customer implementations
- Shared dashboard approach to alerting, reporting and event monitoring
- Powerful, clear and dynamic capacity analysis making sure you find out well before you run out of capacity, not when you do
Network troubleshooting and root cause analysis (RCA)
- Expert engineering team dedicated to troubleshooting and RCA
- Extensive knowledgebase and experience supporting well over a million network ports for our customers
- Application, server and storage expertise to allow us to identify problems with the service, not just the network
How do we deliver this?
- Initial consultation snapshot/audit of current network topology
- Partnerships with class-leading manufacturers in networking
- Professional services- implementation / training
- DI Watch - 24/7/365 support and maintenance
More information
For more detailed information about our services and to obtain single or multi-year contract pricing please contact your Data Integration account manager on +44 (0)20 8875 6500 or email info@dataintegration.com.
