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Essential Features To Look For In A Data Center Switch

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Cloud service providers and large businesses constantly seek an effective method of receiving, processing, and routing their data. Technological advancement has rendered traditional three-tier layered networks ineffective for the job.

They’re high-performance switches used in data centers utilizing a one-tier flat network or fabric architecture or a fixed two-tier (spine-leaf). They can handle traffic in east-west and north-south directions.

Want to use a data center switch for your company but don’t know anything about them? The article below provides all you need to learn about them, plus crucial features to consider when choosing your ideal data center switches. Let’s get into it.


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1. Size, Data Rate, and Number of Ports

How large is your enterprise? This is one of the main questions that’ll directly affect your decision. Data center switches are available in an array of sizes, from large blade chassis switches that plug numerous data gears to small 1-rack unit switches.

As you might have guessed, tinier options are more cost-effective. However, you must fix them in a top-of-rack plan to be most effective. In comparison, larger choices are costlier and more powerful, but they need extra resources for a successful installation.

Then, there’s the data rate consideration. There are currently several fiber connectivity alternatives, such as:

  • 10Gbps
  • 25Gbps
  • 40Gbps
  • 100Gbps
  • 400Gbps

Give the data rate much consideration (preferably ahead of time) before deciding, as it plays a significant part in your data center’s success.

Finally, the number of ports on a data center switch significantly affects the choice of the switch, as it directly impacts the switch’s capacity, scalability, and overall network design. The ultimate result depends on your overall selection.


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2. Architecture

Data center switch architecture refers to the design and configuration of network switches within a data center environment. The framework of these switches is crucial for ensuring high performance, scalability, redundancy, and efficient data traffic management within the data center.

Most modern data switches have a leaf-spine construction. Also known as a Clos network, this architecture comprises leaf switches (access switches) fixed to spine switches.

It’s effective since leaf switches connect directly to servers, storage devices, or other network equipment, while spine switches interconnect the leaf switches. It provides low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity and is highly scalable.

However, the choice of data center switch architecture should majorly lie in how the cables are constituted and the data center’s extent.

3. Tech Support Availability

It’s easy to focus on the bigger features and forget the seemingly smaller factors- like how available the tech support is. Sure, the data center switch is impressive and boasts desirable characteristics, but how present is its tech support?

The ideal data center switch tech support should be available 24/7, be patient, and explain technical issues in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.

It should also have an experienced technician who should be ready to stop by and offer physical assistance if need be.


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4. Data Center Switch Supplier

Data center switches are rising in demand. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that there are tons of fake vendors selling low-quality products. That’s why it helps to be on the lookout and protect your- and your data center’s- wellbeing.

Here are some tips on ensuring you find a qualified supplier:

  • Ensure they have a website: Websites prove professionalism and transparency. All their details should be indicated on their site.
  • Determine their reputation: You can do this by reading client reviews and testimonials on their website. (Mostly) good reviews are a surefire way to know you’re making the right choice. A website with all-good, all-bad, or no reviews may not be a good pick.
  • Ask around: This is one of the easiest ways to find a professional vendor, as word of mouth is often as genuine as reviews. Just ensure you’re asking the right people. And have several choices during the selection process and narrow down to your preferred pick based on your unique requirements.

5. Cost

Price is an important consideration when choosing a data center switch for several reasons:

  • Budget Constraints: Most organizations operate within budget constraints, and overspending on data center infrastructure can lead to financial challenges. Price considerations are vital to ensure that you’re making a cost-effective investment in network equipment.
  • Total Cost of Ownеrship (TCO): The initial purchasе pricе of a data cеntеr switch is just one component of the total cost of ownеrship. Considеration of ongoing opеrational costs, including powеr consumption, maintеnancе, and support, is crucial. A more expensive switch might have lower TCO if it’s more energy-efficient or requires less maintеnancе.
  • Scalability: Price can impact the scalability of your data cеntеr nеtwork. Choosing switchеs that offer good value for thеir port count and capabilities еnsurеs that you can grow your infrastructurе in a cost-effective manner.
  • ROI (Rеturn on Invеstmеnt): A well-balanced invеstmеnt in data cеntеr switchеs еnsurеs that you gеt an excellent ROI. Invеsting too much in high-end switches that exceed your currеnt nееds can rеsult in a longеr payback pеriod.
  • Rеsourcе Allocation: Money spеnt on data cеntеr switchеs is monеy that can’t be allocatеd to othеr critical IT invеstmеnts. By managing costs еffеctivеly, you can allocate resources to other areas of your infrastructure or business nееds.
  • Compеtitivе Pricing: Pricе considerations can help you identify compеtitivе vеndors or nеgotiatе bеttеr dеals. Understanding market pricing ensures you’re not ovеrpaying for a particular product or sеrvicе.

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Data cеntеr switchеs offеr a modеrn, еffеctivе, and fast way of rеcеiving and procеssing data. Your businеss nееds suitable alternatives to keep it rеlеvant. Usе thе tips abovе and bе pеrsistеnt and you’ll find a switch that works for you in no time.

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