Some features about Data center switches you should know

The switch is an important part of the data center, we know that the most important function of the switch is to complete the data forwarding between devices. If you compare the various devices in a data center to isolated cities, the switch is like a freeway between cities. Of course, the expressway can be overcrowded because of the large traffic flow, people can also complain because of overcharging, and can also cause heavy losses due to traffic accidents. Similarly, switches encounter these similar problems in the data center. In order to solve these problems, the function of the data center switch has also become stronger and more diversified for many years, and the data transmission between devices is unobstructed. However, there are some little-known features in addition to the well-known forwarding capacity, port density, forwarding entries, and so on. Although these functions are only the auxiliary functions of the switch, they can add points to the comprehensive capability of the switch and often determine the choice of a device purchaser. Well, here we come to learn them.

CF card

The switch has itself Flash, which can be used to store applications and configuration, the early switch Flash is generally 64M ~ 256M. As the switch application and configuration file is growing, Flash space is often not enough. Therefore, some switch designers move the implementation of the CF card to the switch, thus greatly expanding the storage space of the switch through the CF card. When the user uploads the application program to the switch, it is unnecessary to delete the original application program in order to release the space, and directly specify that the application program in the CF card can be started. Users can store the applications and files elsewhere on the CF card, insert the CF card into the switch, and specify the applications and configuration files in the CF card through the switch to complete the startup. General CF card deposit dozens of applications are not a problem. In addition, due to the weak CPU capabilities of the switch, copying an application into Flash usually takes a few minutes, and copying from a CF card can take a few seconds to complete, greatly reducing operating time.

USB interface

Although the CF card can expand the storage space of the switch, due to the wide variety of CF cards and the unrealistic adaptability of the switch, many low-quality, non-brand-name CF cards are plugged into the switch, causing the equipment to run abnormally or even restart. Therefore, the use of CF card switch to be very careful before using the best understanding of the next CF card is the switch manufacturer designated brand, if not the best not to use. Some low-quality CF card may be used several times without problems, but the next switch can be used to insert the switch may cause failure, such a failure would not be worth the candle, after all, the switch is several times more expensive than the CF card.

In view of this, with the popularity of USB applications, some switches have also realized the USB port. As the USB interface uses a standard design, a unified interface standard, which avoids the brand differences, whether it is high-quality USB devices or poor USB devices, you must respect the interface standard. USB interface, access to the first detection between devices, a direct connection can be set up to visit each other, compared to the high CF card safety factor, so the USB port in the exchange gradually universal. Through the USB port, you can access the U disk, removable hard disk, CF card (using USB interface standard) and other storage devices, so you can achieve the switch storage space expansion.

POE

The switch can not only forward data but also power other devices. This is the POE (Power over Ethernet) function of the switch. The switch directly supplies power to its connected devices through an Ethernet port. Generally, the output power of a single-port can reach 30W, which is enough power to drive an IP phone or a wireless AP. Powering these devices through POE can greatly reduce the power consumption of these devices. Generally, a mid-plane switch can provide hundreds of Ethernet ports for powering hundreds of devices. If there is no POE function, this is required for hundreds of laying power cord, the cost and workload is very large, but also a waste of space. Therefore, in an IP phone or wireless AP application environment, POE function becomes the first function, a switch with such a function is highly competitive.

Display

Data center operation and maintenance personnel often have to do a routine check on various devices, especially switches, in order to find operational risks in a timely manner. Each time you check the switch, you need to use a computer to access the network or device, in order to operate the device, which is very inconvenient. If you do not carry the data cable or computer check cannot be carried out. Frequently inserted into the switch serial port line, network cable, etc. are not safe, easily lead to static electricity. So some switches increase the display function, you can directly see the display switch operating parameters, there are buttons on the display or the use of the touchscreen, you can operate the switch. With the display, operation and maintenance personnel can check the switch directly through the display, it is very convenient to use. When the switch is not running normally, for example, it is attacked by a network and the hardware of the device is faulty. When the switch cannot be controlled by the data cable, the switch can still operate the device through the display and learn about the abnormal operation of the device and the history of device operation, In order to eliminate faults as soon as possible. Therefore, the switch fails, the display is an indispensable good helper. Notwithstanding the many benefits of displays, not all switches have technical difficulties, but increasing the cost of such a display adds cost, so it is generally possible to have a display on a high-end switch.

Wide operating temperature

Most people think that switches are placed in a good environment data room, but in fact not the case. They may be placed in the dark shaft of the building, on the train, on the electric power, in the cold outdoor have their shadow. Switches also have adaptable family members, such as industrial switches, wide temperature switches, which can work in harsh environments. They are more capable than switches that work in greenhouses. Cisco has put their switches into space for use, showing that switches can work everywhere. Wide temperature refers to the switch can work in a larger temperature range of the environment, the general switch operating temperature is 0 ℃ ~ 45 ℃, while the wide temperature switch operating temperature can reach -40 ℃ ~ 70 ℃. This makes switches practical for a wider work environment.

These rare features mentioned above enrich the features of the switch products, allowing the switch to do more to facilitate data center maintenance. Whether expanding the storage capacity of the CF card or USB, whether it is operation and maintenance of POE or display, these features fully reflect the wisdom of the switch designer. With all the talk of building a new generation of data centers, as an important part of the switch, the switch will surely have more features designed to make its contribution to building a new generation of data centers.