Data Center Virtualization – A Networking Problem
© 2009 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
Shehzad Merchant
Sr. Director, Strategy and Market Development
Agenda
Page 2
1. The Evolving Data Center
2. The Networking challenges
3. The Solution Envelope
4. Discussion
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Evolution of Computing Environments
Evolution timeline
Mainframe Mini
Computer
Personal
ComputerCloud computing
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Enabling the New Data Center:The Promise of Virtualization
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Consolidation
Cost
Power
Elasticity
Hardware Independence
Location Independence
Dynamism
Load Balancing
Power Management
Simplified Management
On Demand Application Provisioning
The Networking Challenges
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VM VM
VSwitch
VM VM
The Dissolving Network Edge
Network boundary between edge switch and server has blurred
Switching at multiple levels
Virtual switch
Network switch
Switching in NIC cards
Distributed virtual switches
Co-existence of different virtual switch models a challenge
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Edge
NIC
Aggregation
Core
Server
Server
The Departmental Divide
Who owns the networking configuration?
Server and network administrators traditionally distinct
Server administrators not skilled at network configuration
Dealing with inconsistencies in server and network configuration
Increased likelihood of errors
Troubleshooting, maintenance require direct coordination across groups
Shifting locus of control
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Dealing with Scale
Adding Burden To the Administrator
Multiple network devices per server
Multiple virtual switches
Switching in NIC cards
Blade switches
Increase in the magnitude of managed end points
Application-driven heterogeneity adds complexity
VMware, Microsoft, Citrix
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VM Mobility
Force-Fitting Dynamism onto a Static Network
VM Mobility requires network configuration to follow VMs VLAN, QoS, ACLs, Rate Limiting tied
to VM, not network port
Best practices are conflicting Flat L2 versus segmented
Requires coordination between server & network administrators Automated and dynamic VM
migration
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Edge
Core
Edge
NIC
VM
Vswitch
Server
NIC
VM
Vswitch
Server
Power Management
VM Load Balancing
Dynamic Resource Management
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Based on CPU, Memory, NIC utilization
No visibility into network congestion
Requires uniform network policies
Bring the network into the equation
Optimize the power savings
Security in a Virtualized World
Compliance No separation by default Audit trail, reporting and compliance
need to be revisited
Dealing with VM Sprawl Dormant VMs pose an exploitable
threat
Patch Management Needs to be dealt with at a VM level
Dealing with network security within the server Lack of visibility into inter-VM traffic Firewall, IDS/IPS for inter-VM traffic
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The Solution Framework
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Evolving the Network
Value to the Data Center
Customized
Program & Application Integration
Scripting and Widgets
Deep Insight and Broad Control of
Infrastructure
XML-enabled Infrastructure
Simple
Bandwidth and Performance
Networking Density
Fixed and Modular
Platforms
Robust and Flexible Stacking
Efficient
Integration with VM Platforms
Heterogeneous (Best of Breed)
support for Virtual
Machines
Automated
Configuration, Provisioning,
Event Detection and
Response
Application Awareness &
Support
Provision 1000s of Switches
across Multiple Sites
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Vendor differentiation
Orchestration
Tying together the network, storage, and servers
• Network management tools to provide complete network view
• Not just configuration• Real time statistics and status monitoring• IP, MAC, Identity and location information
• Integration into third party tools• XML based APIs• Smart provisioning of resources
• Power, load balancing and security• Reduced need for co-ordination• Consistent application of policies
Bringing it together:
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Building A Smarter, Greener Data Center
Depending on the network
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Leverage mature network functionality
Use network switches for advanced functionality
Wire speed
Sophisticated functionality
Predictable behavior
Customizable and automated
Keep Hypervisor simple
Continue to leverage current expertise and investment in network resources
Standards driving to this direction
VEPA
THANK YOU
© 2009 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.