Reducing Network Tiers In Virtualized Infrastructure

A typical “non-virtualized” data center has three network layers, Top-of-Rack, End-of-Row and Core switches. But virtualized infrastructure adds two additional layers; the virtual switch and blade switch; raising the number of tiers from 3 to 5.  This significantly increases latency plus the number of network elements within the data center resulting in increased data center management complexity.  I talk with Shehzad Merchant Senior Director for Strategy at Extreme Networks about Extreme’s flattening approach to data center network fabric through its DirectAttach.