Inside Networks
THE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE E-MAGAZINE WWW.INSIDENETWORKS.CO.UK
APR
11
Around the world
Solving the challenge of
the global cloud
Three’s a crowd?
Third party
testing
goes under
the spotlight
Command and control
Securing the network
In this issue | Latest news | Projects | Mailbox | Products
We’re Not Going Green.
We Already Are.
At Siemon, we’ve worked hard to be the
most green and sustainable network
infrastructure company in the world, so
that our customers can deploy environmentally responsible cabling systems
without sacrificing performance.
We help our customers build more sustainable
infrastructures through:
Just a few of Siemon’s Green Achievements:
• Future-Proof Infrastructures
• Resource Management/Maximization
• Reducing Power Consumption
• Thermal Efficiency
• Cabling Abatement/Recycling Planning
• 300% Carbon-Negative Operations
• Zero-Landfill Recycling/Waste Management
• 217 KW Solar Power Plant
• Forestland Conservation
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management
• RoHS Compliance
To find out more about Siemon’s Environmental Sustainability Achievements, visit:
www.siemon.com/green
W W W
.
S I E M O N
.
C O M
CONTENTS
In April’s issue...
6
EDITOR’S LETTER
Decisions, decisions
NEWS
9
All that’s happening in the world of
network infrastructures
25
MAILBOX
16
The pick of the recent emails to
Inside Networks
QUESTION TIME
19
IN’s panel of experts examines
whether external verification is all
it appears to be or simply a way of
lulling end users into a false sense
of security
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
Paul O’Kelly of Extreme Networks
examines the role switches play in
connecting virtual applications
and mobile users in a secure and
reliable way
25
SWITCHES
30
The latest switching technology
9
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 3
CONTENTS
QUICK CLICKS
Your one click guide to the latest
industry podcasts, electronic
literature, apps and webcasts
PROJECTS
Case studies from around the world
34
36
44
CLOUD COMPUTING
40
Geoff Kreiling of Masergy looks
at what can be done to solve the
challenge of the global cloud
40
44
CHANNEL UPDATE
Moves, adds and changes in the
channel
PRODUCTS
47
The latest network infrastructure
products, systems and services
FINAL WORD
Rosemary McGlashon of 3M
explains why the move towards
standardisation of connectors does
not necessarily mean a level playing
field for quality
50
47
FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO
50
Inside Networks CLICK HERE
Inside Networks
PAGE 4 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
EDITOR’S LETTER
Debating society
Thanks to all of you who
contacted Inside Networks
to give us your take on the
issues raised in last month’s
issue by Mike Gilmore of the FIA
concerning the move towards
proprietary multimode fibre
optic systems for 40 and 100
Gigabit Ethernet. It would
appear that there is a great deal of concern
about this and it is an issue that we’ll be
revisiting soon.
The development and role of the cloud
is also an area of fiercely contested opinion
and debate. Security has been an inhibitor
of widespread cloud service deployment
for the enterprise space but is the battle
being won to win the doubters over? This
month’s Inside Networks features an article
from Geoff Kreiling of Masergy who looks
at what can be done to solve the challenges
of the global cloud and you can read it by
CLICKING HERE
Switching technology is also playing an
increasingly vital role in ensuring network
security and with end users connected
to the network through a large variety of
wired and wireless devices, Paul O’Kelly of
Inside Networks
Extreme Networks examines
how using the correct
Ethernet switches can ensure
scalable, secure and highly
available networks.
CLICK HERE to read his
thoughts.
Today’s network managers
can’t afford to make wrong
decisions and need all the assurance possible
that what they install is up to the job. One
way in which they have sought to do this is
by only specifying products with third party
verification. However, not all third party
testing is carried out to the same criteria.
CLICK HERE to read the comments and
advice offered by our panel of experts.
Finally, BICSI’s Summer 2011 Charity Golf
Day will take place on the 11th May. This
regular event has raised a significant amount
of money for Macmillan Cancer Support and
always boasts an excellent display of the
industry’s golfing talent. To find out more
about it and to enter CLICK HERE
Rob Shepherd
Editor
rob@insidenetworks.co.uk
Inside Networks
Rob Shepherd - Editor 07708 972170
Inside
Networks
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used, transmitted
rob@insidenetworks.co.uk
or produced in any form without the written permission of the copyright
Chris Marland - Sub-Editor
owner. Applications for written permission should be addressed to
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info@chalkhillmedia.com.The views and comments expressed by
izzy@insidenetworks.co.uk
contributors to this publication are not necessarily shared by the publisher.
Vishnu Joory - Creative Director
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of
James Abrahams - Technology Consultant
published information.
Debbie King - Circulation Manager
Billy Gallop - Accounts
PAGE 6 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
© 2011 Chalk Hill Media, PO Box 3504, Norwich, NR7 7QL
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NEWS
BICSI data centre programme receives
CDCD accreditation
CNet Training has announced that BICSI’s
Data Centre programme has been
granted accreditation of prior learning
(APL) for the Certified Data Centre
Design (CDCD) qualification.
The content of the BICSI programme
covers some of CNet’s CDCD
qualification assessment criteria,
allowing successful BICSI delegates to
provide verifiable evidence and pass an
online examination in order to achieve
CDCD status and qualification.
This development provides an
opportunity for individuals to continue
to improve their knowledge whilst
acquiring more industry recognised
qualifications within specific areas of
data centres. CNet Training’s Global Data
Centre Education Framework allows
delegates the choice to attend short
courses to expand their knowledge
Andrew
Stevens
or follow the framework to achieve
certified status within different arenas.
Andrew Stevens, CNet Training’s
managing director, comments, ‘This is
fantastic news for all BISCI trained data
centre professionals – they can use
their existing qualification to fast track
into our prestigious CDCD programme,
which is attracting delegates from
across the globe.’
FrontRange joins Cloud Industry Forum
FrontRange Solutions has become the
latest company to join the Cloud Industry
Forum (CIF), established to promote
trust, security and transparency within
the sector.
The Cloud Industry Forum was established
in 2009 to provide transparency through
certification to a Code of Practice for
credible online cloud service providers
and to assist end users in determining core
information necessary to enable them to
adopt these services. Founder members
include a number of leading players in the
cloud provisioning sector including
PAGE 9 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
7safe, Fasthosts, Nominet, Outsourcery,
Rackspace and Scalable.
Ian McEwan, VP EMEA at FrontRange
Solutions, stated, ‘FrontRange is delighted
to join the Cloud Industry Forum as it
strives to deliver a Code of Practice to
encourage transparency and best practices
in cloud computing. The more major cloud
computing stakeholders participate in the
Cloud Industry Forum, the more trust
we will build with customers looking
for secure, stable, and effective cloud
computing solutions that they can monitor
and manage with confidence.’
NEWS
CA Technologies’ Channel Index
outlines a bright 2011 ahead
CA Technologies’ partners
are expecting a bright year
ahead, with 65 per cent
predicting an improved
economy, according to the
2011 CA Technologies
Channel Index. 54 per cent
of partners expect a boost
in customers’ IT spending,
in contrast to the preceding
year when budgets were
predominantly flat.
The CA Technologies
Channel Index reveals that the largest hikes
in IT expenditure will be found in cloud
computing and virtualisation management.
Spending on cloud is set to continue its
upward trend of the last two years – 60
per cent of partners
expect a rise,
compared to 48
per cent last year.
70 per cent expect
increased investment
in virtualisation
management.
‘The Index shows
that many of our
European partners are
looking forward to an
David Griffiths
improved economy.
With increased spending in cloud computing,
our partners our capitalising on the huge
opportunity it provides for growth,’ said
David Griffiths, VP partners, alliances and
MSPs in Europe at CA Technologies.
Summer 2011 Charity Golf Day for
Macmillan Cancer Support
BICSI’s Summer 2011
Charity Golf Day will
take place on 11th
May at the prestigious
Hanbury Manor PGA
Championship Course in
Ware, Hertfordshire.
The event will raise
money for Macmillan
Cancer Support and will
ask for four ball teams
to compete in a ‘best
2 from 4’ full handicap
Stableford competition
over 18 holes. Golf will
be followed by a threecourse dinner and prize
giving with charity raffle.
PAGE 10 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
One of the event
organisers, Andrew
Stevens of CNet Training,
commented, ‘We have
raised over £25,000
for Macmillan Cancer
Support since we began
the BICSI charity golf
days. It is a great day out
which allows us to focus
our competitive steaks
in a different direction,
while raising money for a
worthwhile cause.’
To enter a team or get
more information CLICK
HERE or call 07769
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NEWS
Next Connex and NGD partner for sub-two
millisecond connectivity Next Connex and Next Generation Data
have announced a new low-latency
connectivity service linking the carrierneutral NGD Europe Tier 3+ data centre
in South Wales to London and the City. The service gives guaranteed subtwo millisecond data backhaul between
central London and NGD Europe, using
Next Connex’s fully diverse, resilient
fibre network. This enables customers in
financial services, media production, and
other sectors that demand lowest latency
and maximum data capacity to take
full advantage of NGD Europe’s remote
high-security location, scalable low-cost
space, and unprecedented renewable
power facilities.
Simon Taylor, chairman of Next
Generation
Simon
Data, said, ‘This Taylor
high-capacity,
low-latency
connectivity
service removes
the final barrier
that often stops
companies
moving out of
overcrowded,
X
high cost data centres in the London
area. Organisations can now take full
advantage of NGD Europe’s lower space
costs, unmatched power resources
and lower exposure to potential
security threats without compromising
network performance.’
Edinburgh plays host to BICSI’s 2011
European Conference & Exhibition
BICSI’s 2011 European Conference &
Exhibition will take place on 6th-8th June
at the Edinburgh International Conference
Centre. It will bring together leading
international industry experts to tackle some
of today’s hottest topics.
Delegates will learn about the latest
advancements and technology through
technical presentations from global industry
leaders and an exhibition hall full of the
industry’s top suppliers.
Rita Recalcati, BICSI’s European region
director, commented, ‘This event offers
numerous opportunities to network, connect
with your peers and build relationships to
expand your business. Delegates can also
attend the first BICSI European Cabling
Skills Challenge, where you can see some
PAGE 13 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
of Europe’s best installers and technicians
compete to be named BICSI European Z
Installer of the Year.’
All conference delegates will receive 15
per cent off BICSI’s Data Centre Standard
For full programme details and registration
information CLICK HERE. For sponsorship
and exhibition opportunities, CLICK HERE.
NEWS
Siemon, Cisco, Intel and Aquantia discuss
10GBASE-T adoption in the data centre
At a recent Emerging Technology Forum
in Portland USA, experts from Siemon,
Cisco, Intel and Aquantia addressed key
advances and considerations in the trend
towards increasing market adoption
of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T)
technologies in the data centre.
Topics covered were key 10GBASE-T
market drivers and projections, the
evolution of server connectivity,
decreasing power needs and cabling
design options with 10GBASE-T, and
others.
According to Siemon’s Carrie Higbie,
Category 6A and higher connectivity
is being planned in new data centres.
She said, ’85 per cent of the new data
centre designs we see are cabling
for 10GBASE-T.’ Higbie also noted a
continuing upswing in the global use
of shielded cabling for 10GBASE-T,
including the traditional UTP dominant
markets such as the US.
Among the event highlights were
Aquantia’s Sean Lundy and Intel’s Carl
Hansen and Dave Chalupsky providing
insight on how chip innovations from
their respective companies were
expected to significantly drive down
10GBASE-T power requirements for
more energy-efficient 10GbE networks. For more insight from the Aquantia,
Cisco, Intel and Siemon expert panel
CLICK HERE view the event video.
NEWS IN BRIEF
NextiraOne has demonstrated its depth of competence in unified communications
by becoming the first company in Austria to achieve Cisco Master Unified
Communications certification.
HIG Europe has acquired Fibercore, a UK based global market leader in the design and
manufacture of specialty optical fibres, from Cisco.
More than 3,000 participants from 80 countries gathered in Milan, for the FTTH
Conference 2011. The 2012 event will take place from 29th February to 1st
March in Munich.
Pirean Software has been selected as a finalist for two Financial Services Technology
Awards for its Access:One software that enables organisations secure on-site, hosted,
cloud and SaaS resources using existing centrally managed security controls.
Node4 has extended its remit to Northampton following the success of its’ third data
centre in Wakefield.
HP has taken the number one position in worldwide server revenue and shipments for
calendar year 2010, according to a new report from IDC. HP captured approximately 39
per cent of the total x86 market revenue
PAGE 14 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
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Email : sales@austin-hughes.eu
MAILBOX
A distinct advant
Dear Rob
The emergence of 10 Gigabit Ethernet
system networking products that support
data centre bridging (DCB) are a boon
to the adoption of converged data and
storage networks. 10 Gigabit Ethernet
system networks that support DCB enable
a variety of means for implementing
IP-based storage networks.Technologies
including FCoE, iSCSI, CIFS and NFS benefit
from the speed, low latency and lossless
advantages of 10 Gigabit Ethernet DCB
infrastructures.
FCoE encapsulates fibre channel traffic
into Ethernet frames, eliminating the
requirement for separate fibre channel
and Ethernet networks. The bottom
line advantage of FCoE is network
convergence, reducing the network
infrastructure by consolidating two
separate networks that otherwise
require different equipment, technology,
management tools, etc into a single
infrastructure – greatly reducing operating
costs.
Unlike FCoE, iSCSI, CIFS and NFS are
able to work with ‘normal’ Ethernet; they
do not require DCB because they can
handle loss of packets or packets arriving
in different orders, increased latency, etc.
However, there are huge advantages of
using these IP-based storage solutions
over 10 Gigabit Ethernet DCB networks.
For example, DCB’s priority flow control
(PFC) provides a way to regulate flows
that make any IP storage solution run
faster and more efficiently. In the Ethernet
protocol without DCB, there is a flow
control mechanism so that when the
switch memory buffers are getting full, the
switch sends a pause frame to the server,
effectively saying ‘don’t send me anything
for a moment while I empty (transmit) the
data I have in my buffers’.
Unfortunately, without DCB’s priority
flow control, Ethernet treats all traffic
equally, meaning that the server stops
completely from sending any traffic once
it receives the pause frame. You might not
notice the extra few microseconds if you
are downloading your emails, but storage
and database applications will notice.
DCB’s PFC provides a way to send a
pause frame to only traffic considered less
critical. Effectively, PFC carves up the 10
Gigabit Ethernet pipe into eight lanes and
enables the assignment of applications
per lane. The DCB switch can send pause
frames only on certain lanes and not
others, so your storage traffic – FCoE,
iSCSI, CIFS, or NFS – will never get paused
if they are running in separate lanes. The
result is exceptional performance for
IP-based storage environments using 10
Gigabit Ethernet system networks.
Today’s 10 Gigabit Ethernet system
networks and DCB open the way to a
variety of IP-based storage alternatives.
If FCoE is not your cup of tea, iSCSI, CIFS,
➜ Is there something you’d like to comment on? CLICK HERE
to send Inside Networks your views.
PAGE 16 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
MAILBOX
tage
and NFS are well worth considering.
Charles Ferland
Blade Network Technologies
Editor’s comment
The IEEE and IETF are both continuing
to develop guidance to help data centre
managers provide lossless and low-latency
transmission of data, such as FCoE frames,
across the network. The Data Centre
Bridging task group is working on this and
looking at various aspects of the problem
and it will be interesting to see what
it concludes.
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QUESTION TIME
Proof of purchase
Manufacturers are increasingly using third party product
testing as a way to substantiate their claims. Inside Networks
has asked a panel of experts to examine whether external
verification is all it appears to be or simply a way of lulling
end users into a false sense of security
Whether you’re looking for a
new cabling infrastructure or a
replacement switch, there no shortage
of choice when it comes to products
and systems for the modern network
infrastructure.
This of course is a good thing, however,
it can make life difficult when it comes to
a final decision. Manufacturers’ marketing
departments have become highly adept at
making their products appear to offer the
best value for money and deciphering the
marketing spin can often prove tricky.
In order to back up their claims and to
provide verification that a product ‘does
what it says on the tin’ a growing number
of manufacturers are turning to third party
test houses to back up their claims. For
end users this has been a useful way to
cut through the hype, while making
sure that a decision about a product’s
performance won’t come back to haunt
them at a later date.
However, useful as it may be,
not all third party testing
parameters are the same and they will
often only verify the items that
the manufacturer has asked to
be tested. So, the onus often
falls on the end user to fully
understand what has been
tested and, perhaps just as
importantly, why.
So is third party testing
all it’s cracked up to be?
Inside Networks has
assembled a panel of experts
to discuss this issue and
suggest how it can help when it
comes to
product selection.
If you have a question that
you would like a panel of
experts to answer in Inside
Networks, CLICK HERE and we’ll
do our best to feature it.
HOW INFLUENTIAL SHOULD THIRD PARTY TESTING BE
WHEN DECIDING WHICH PRODUCTS TO USE IN A NETWORK
INFRASTRUCTURE? DO THIRD PARTY TEST RESULTS STAND
UP TO SCRUTINY AND DO THEY PROVIDE END USERS WITH AN
IMPARTIAL GUARANTEE OF COMPLIANCE?
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 19
QUESTION TIME
BLADE NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES
CHARLES FERLAND – VICE PRESIDENT EMEA
Third party
and multivendor product testing
and benchmarking
can provide a
valuable resource for
determining which
networking products
are best suited to the
customer’s needs.
Such tests can often
be accomplished
on a much more
extensive level with
more products tested,
more test equipment used and more test
parameters evaluated than any single
customer could accomplish on their own.
The IETF’s RFCs that define performance
testing terminology or methodology for
specific protocols or situations are useful
in ensuring that test results are impartial.
Consider The Lippis Report’s recent Open
Industry Network Performance & Power
Test for Private and Public Data Center
Clouds Ethernet Fabrics Report: Evaluating
10GbE Switches.
The Lippis Report’s test, which was
conducted at Ixia’s iSimCity, was open with
‘When multiple vendors
collaborate to test their
products, this can provide
a useful way to evaluate
real-world scenarios.’
PAGE 20 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
no fee to participate,
used IETF RFC test
methodology, and no
vendor had input into
the test methodology.
Although the tests are
repeatable, it would
be very difficult, if not
impossible for most
Global 2000 firms to
conduct the testing
that involved $9.5m in
test equipment, $2m
worth of top-of-rack
and core switches from
multiple vendors, iSimCity’s extensive and
well controlled test environment, miles of
cabling, and the involvement of 22 of the
industry’s top networking engineers.
When multiple vendors collaborate
to test their products, this can provide
a useful way to evaluate real-world
scenarios. For example, Blade Network
Technologies, Solarflare Communications
and Cloudsoft Corporation recently
conducted a multi-vendor benchmarking
of Monterey, Cloudsoft’s enterprise class
cloud platform.
Of course it is impossible to reproduce
exactly every ‘real-life’ environment in test
scenarios, but they do provide proof points
of vendors claims and are a useful way
to evaluate product maturity and overall
performance. Because you may not want
to get into the testing business yourself,
third-party and multi-vendor
testing can indeed provide a
useful and instructive way to
evaluate networking products.
QUESTION TIME
NEXANS
MARTIN ROSSBACH – DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MARKETING
Third party
testing is a
very useful tool to provide
independent verification of
a manufacturer’s claims.
Within the network
infrastructure industry it
is mainly used to provide
confidence for new,
emerging standards and
technologies, where
confusion on standards,
performance or test
methods may exist. It does
not necessarily add value for
firmly established products,
such as standard Category
5e or Category 6.
The established third party test houses
are reputable organisations, and will
accurately test and validate supplied
products according to the relevant
standards at the time. However, it is
important to verify exactly which products
have been tested to a particular standard.
Customers need to remember that
two standards might look very similar on
paper but they can mean very different
performance levels. For instance, Category
6A, as defined by the
Telecommunications
Industry Association
(TIA) could refer to
component, link or
channel performance
which are all very
different.
Without knowing
the detail behind the
standards, customers
may assume that
these all mean
the same thing.
Cabling standards
can be incredibly
complicated, so
customers need to
make sure that when they specify cabling
infrastructure systems they are actually
getting what they want.
In summary, third party certification
provides an indication of standards
compliance, but users should ensure they
check the detail. They must understand
what the product has been certified against,
and ensure they are being
offered the same product set
that was submitted.
‘The established third party test houses will
accurately test and validate supplied products
according to the relevant standards at the time.
However, it is important to verify which products have
been tested to a particular standard.’
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 21
QUESTION TIME
LMG
SIMON BARNARD – TECHNICAL MANAGER
Historically,
manufacturers
may have
used third party testing to
differentiate their products.
Today this level of approval
is expected as standard from
any credible manufacturer.
Where established standards
exist, the market demands
this independent seal
of approval.
It is still important to
understand the information
that is being presented
as a part of that test. You
would expect to be shown
a compliance certificate
detailing the manufacturer,
the standard the test was
conducted to and the
product that was tested.
Checking that these details match the
system you are evaluating is important –
the certificate may refer to differing part
numbers than you expect to see. This can
happen when a manufacturer uses the same
component in multiple products. You should
then be checking that the listed component
is included in the system concerned.
The method of test should also be
brought into scrutiny. A one-off test may
give the manufacturer the opportunity to
submit a ‘golden sample’ from a production
run to deliver the required result. Tests on
randomly selected products over a period
of time carry more weight, but this extra
diligence costs, and ultimately the end user
would need to pay that price.
Component level approval is generally
PAGE 22 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
agreed to be a
more desirable
compliance, and
more stringent than
channel approval.
Channel approval
could enable a
manufacturer to hide
underperforming
components by
averaging them
out with higher
performing elements
of the circuit.
However, third
party testing cannot
guarantee installed
performance and
system longevity
but a good installer
and a quality
manufacturer can.
An installer’s demonstrable track record of
similar solutions and ongoing investment
in the training of their engineers, with
manufacturer and industry specific
courses, may ultimately
be more important than
laboratory testing.
‘A one-off test may give
the manufacturer the
opportunity to submit a
“golden sample” from a
production run to deliver
the required result.’
QUESTION TIME
R&M
JUSTIN BEWICK – MANAGING DIRECTOR
Many installers,
consultants and
end users rely
heavily on the certificates
from third party test
houses in their choice of the
products. And in an ideal
world they should be able to
rely on these.
But sadly, a certificate
is not a certificate is not a
certificate!
In fact, there are many
different types of certificate
which look the same but
aren’t actually the same.
At one end of the spectrum there are
certificates given for products which the
manufacturer itself selects and gives to the
test house for testing. These samples could
be individually selected from production or
laboratory tuned. So this type of certificate
tends to relate to handpicked samples rather
than run of production.
At the other end of the spectrum, the third
party test house is permitted to walk in to
the factory completely unannounced and
help itself to samples from the production
line – completely at random and without
any possibility for the manufacturer to
influence the choice. In this case, of course,
the certification tells you that random
production units
pass the standards.
What’s more the
test house can and
does repeat the
surprise visit and
re-tests random
samples from time
to time and would
take away the
certification if the
products did not
still pass.
The only way to
tell the difference
between the
certificates is to carefully read the fine print
– and if in any doubt directly ask the third
party test house to explain the test regime
used.
Finally, in Europe, look for certification to
ISO/IEC 11801 rather than the American
and lower spec TIA/EIA. At a minimum
look for channel certification – which
guarantees the system provided you use that
manufacturers’ components and patch cords
from end-to-end without exception – and
preferably also for component certification
which should guarantee end-to
end performance provided
every single component is
component certified.
‘The only way to tell the difference between the
certificates is to carefully read the fine print – and if
in any doubt directly ask the third party test house to
explain the test regime used.’
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 23
COMMS
T H E N E T W O R K A N D D ATA C O M M S C O N F E R E N C E A N D E X H I B I T I O N
28th - 29th June 2011 I Barbican Centre I London
COMMS EXPO is the new international
conference and exhibition for network and
data communications professionals.
Speakers at COMMS EXPO 2011 will include:
Andrew Jones,
Alquist Consulting
John Berney, Managing Director,
CIO +
To be held at London’s prestigious
Barbican Centre on the 28th and 29th
of June 2011, COMMS EXPO will offer a
seminar programme of unrivalled quality,
designed to deliver information with
outcome-changing consequences.
Ed Gibson, Global Cyber Security Chief,
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Ken Hodge, Technical Director,
Brand Rex
John Kellow,
John Kellow Associates
This premier event is open, FREE OF
CHARGE to all industry professionals that
pre-register at www.commsexpo.com.
Mike Gilmore, Principal,
The Cabling Partnetship
If you require further information, or are
interested in exhibiting at the event, please
feel free to call Ian Titchener on
+44 (0)1223 350515.
David Stefanowicz,
TIAB / ECA
Andrew Stevens, Managing Director,
Cnet Training
Rob Cardigan,
Nexans
Carrie Higbie, Global Data Centre Director,
The Siemon Company
EVENT
www.commsexpo.com
Comms expo ad 151x213.indd 1
SPONSORED BY
11/03/2011 11:08
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
On the move
Paul O’Kelly of Extreme Networks examines the role switches
play in connecting virtual applications and mobile users in a secure
and reliable way
Innovative Ethernet switching
products have redefined networking
by delivering unprecedented control
and efficiency. Expectations for rich
infrastructure capabilities, high security
and flawless operations are testing
network professionals like never before
and networking vendors need to respond
with solutions that deliver secure, robust
connectivity for voice, video and data.
Today’s end users are connected to the
network through a large variety of wired
and wireless devices with mobility of
applications driven by virtualisation of the
data centre. By using the correct Ethernet
switches, enterprises, campuses, data
centres and service providers can build
scalable, highly available networks that
deliver voice and video traffic with clarity
in a world were mobility is key.
Mix and match
An enterprise data network can be built
using any combination of the three key
types of switches – core switch products
to deliver performance and availability
with the ability to respond to future
needs, aggregation switches to meet
the tough demands of high performance
network applications, and edge switches
that simplify endpoint management and
access control tasks.
The exacting demands of IP telephony
deployments, enterprise aggregation,
corporate data centres and network
backbones require solutions that combine
consistent performance, carrier-class
availability, enhanced security and
simplified management. Using appropriate
core switches minimises latency and jitter,
which can often degrade the quality of
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 25
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
‘Network security is too important to be left solely to
perimeter protection appliances and the LAN itself
should play an active role in defending the network
and its resources from inappropriate access or
attacks.’
voice and video applications.
In large enterprise networks
aggregation switches play the important
role of aggregating traffic from a large
number of edge switches to be forwarded
into the core, as well as receiving traffic
from the core to distribute out to the
edge. These switches need to process
packets between core and edge switches
and must therefore be secure, reliable and
have simplified management to reduce the
total cost of ownership (TCO).
Moving out to the edge, the role of
these switches becomes more important
for supporting a variety of applications
as well as the proliferation of networkenabled devices. They are required to
support emerging technologies and
fluctuation on a day-to-day basis without
increasing the management burden to
maintain application performance.
Security
Switches also play a crucial role in
securing the network. Network security
is too important an issue to be left solely
to perimeter protection appliances and
the LAN itself should play an active role in
defending the network and its resources
from inappropriate access or attacks.
Traditionally, security has been the job of
specialised appliances, firewalls, intrusion
detection or prevention systems (IDS/
IPS), antivirus software and so on. Since
most attacks initially came from the
Internet, bolting on discreet devices to
the WAN perimeter where the private and
public networks met, often worked well.
But times have changed, no longer can
a company just put in a firewall to protect
itself from the
Internet and
think that it is
safe. Threats
are appearing
on the inside of
the network,
circumventing
the elaborate
firewall and
antivirus
protection
at the WAN
perimeter.
In fact, the
typical IT
administrator
finds out that
there is a new
threat on
the Internet
because it
has already
appeared inside
the enterprise
network.
Ethernet switching produc
PAGE 26 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
Control and constrain
Many believe that the key to security
is to have it at the network switch
through user policies, authentication and
authorisation. It is important to constrain
users to the network resources they
require to do their job and this is where
intelligent network access comes in. A
network access authentication protocol
uses identity to allow or deny access to a
network, regardless of whether it is wired
or wireless, regardless of the location.
Open Ethernet switches and access
ports are gaping holes in network security
so requiring users to login to prove their
right to access the network automatically
creates a more secure environment.
Users attempting
to connect with the
network must first
log in to the system
and once identified,
can proceed to
access the Internet
and certain network
services. The identity
based technology in
intelligent networking
allows IT managers
to maintain strict
control over user
access rights, while
allowing end users to
access the network in
a flexible way, not just
limited to a fixed desk
location. If users then
attempt to access
an off-limits server,
they are blocked at
the edge port itself
thereby removing any
opportunity for an
attacker to penetrate the network and
making intelligent network access and
switching a very powerful addition to any
network security framework.
Trend setting
In recent years two main trends have
shaped the data centre. The growth of
virtualisation technology fuelled by the
ongoing increase of CPU performance
has promoted server consolidation whilst
blade servers are enabling a higher
density of machines to be housed onsite.
As a result, the data centre has evolved
into a highly complex environment with
the traditional and well-understood
three-tier architecture – network core,
aggregation switches and access layer –
now expanded to five or even a six tier
network involving the virtual switch, NIC
cards with switching capabilities
and blade-switches part of the bladeserver rack.
The pressures of delivering energy
efficiency, cost savings and network
staff limitations has created a challenge
for those who run data centres, as well
as the vendors who supply them –
how to eliminate tiers across both the
physical network and the server domain.
The ideal scenario is a simplified twotier architecture – bring back all the
switching to the network and use high
density switching with sufficient uplink
capacity, while supporting application
virtualisation. As such the network must be able
to track and trace applications when
they are floating over the server farm,
and apply the right virtual port profile
to ensure SLAs when an application is
migrated to a new server. Moreover,
traffic between applications at one
cts have redefined networking
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 27
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY
server must be handled by the network as
well, so the network management team
has full visibility of which application is
supported by which server and which
network switch. This will allow them to
eliminate the need for the vSwitch on the
server, guaranteeing network security in
hardware and offloading the server CPU. With fewer network elements to
manage and a higher, more predictable
performance, data centres benefit from
more comprehensive network capabilities
and improved security. Similarly, by
returning the management of switching
back to the hand of the network
managers, it eliminates any conflict with
server administration.
Another level
It is vitally important to realise that
today’s technology takes networks to a
new level that expands upon this historical
role. Networks now have to deal with a
variety of devices, traffic types, users and
applications and must deliver the right
content, services and security
to everyone. ❏
Redefining network performance
Networks are designed for one purpose
– to move data from one location to
another. But imagine if it knew every
individual user’s needs, preferences
and access status. For the enterprise,
users would be unleashed to work at
their fullest capacity, while maintenance
and troubleshooting is simplified. In the
data centre the accelerating mobility of
virtualisation is under more intelligent
and secure control. For the service
provider, the burdens of infrastructure
management are reduced, allowing focus
to shift on enhancing subscriber services.
Sending bits from source to destination
is the easy part, what’s harder now
is customising network access based
upon a user’s role, device type and
location. Existing networks can be
meshed together to offer some identity
functionality but won’t be able to
provide the type of scale or flexibility
required for today’s network-based
business processes.
PAGE 28 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
Paul O’Kelly
Paul O’Kelly has been a technologist
for over 22 years and has a vast
amount of practical experience and
knowledge in the networking and
communications industry.
Paul is responsible for all technical
aspects of Extreme Networks’ UK &
Ireland business and heads up a team
of highly skilled and experienced
system engineers.
Reduce Data Centre Installation Time by up to 85%
� Faster investment to revenue stream
� Added security - Fewer engineers on site for less time
� World leading pre-terminated system
� High density, space saving fibre and copper versions available
� Supports 10G systems in Copper and Fibre
� Less waste, UK Manufactured - Reduced Carbon Footprint
HellermannTyton Data Ltd
Cornwell Business Park
Salthouse Road, Brackmills
Northampton NN4 7EX
Tel: +44 (0)1604 707420 Web: www.htdata.co.uk
PRODUCTS
SWITCHES
Comms Express
Comms Express is one of the UK’s leading
resellers of switches. Established for
10 years, the company has become
the preferred one-stop-shop for all
networking requirements. Having built up
excellent working partnerships with all
the major switch manufacturers, Comms
Express offers clear impartial advice no
matter what your switch requirements are.
Whether installing a five port desktop or
a multi-stacked managed switch, Comms
Express is able to supply, from stock, a
solution that meets the customers needs
from all the leading manufacturers
including Netgear, Cisco,
HP Networking, D-Link
and Allied Telesis, all
available for next day
delivery. Customers can also
rely on Comms Express for all their
other networking requirements, including
leads, cabinets/racks, patch panels, UPS
and KVM solutions, making it the preferred
choice for networking professionals.
Detailed specifications, up-to-date
prices and stock availability of all products
can be found on the Comms Express
website, which has been independently
reviewed and rated as excellent by Google
Checkout and Shopping.com, underpinning
our dedication to customer service.
For further information CLICK HERE
www.comms-express.com
Cisco
The Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches
transform the data centre with innovative,
standards based, multi-layer, multiprotocol and multi-purpose Ethernet
based fabric. Now you can help enable any
transport over Ethernet, including Layer
2 and Layer 3 traffic, and storage traffic,
all on one common data centre class
platform.
The Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches
are ideal for enterprise class data centre
server access layer and smaller-scale,
mid-market data centre aggregation
deployments. They can be deployed
across a diverse set of traditional,
virtualised, unified, and high
performance computing
(HPC) environments.
As part of the network foundation for
PAGE 30 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
Cisco Data Center Business Advantage,
they are designed to address the business,
application, and operational requirements
for current and future data centres. They
provide architectural flexibility to support
diverse business and application needs and
infrastructure simplicity to decrease the
total cost of ownership.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.cisco.com
SWITCHES
Mayflex
The GEU-0820 LevelOne 8-port Gigabit
Ethernet switch from Mayflex is designed
for reliable high performance networking.
With its non-blocking switching fabric in
full-duplex mode, this switch can deliver
up to 2000Mb/s per port, while the
Store-and-Forward service brings low
latency and error free packet delivery.
This high performance Gigabit Ethernet
switch is perfect for fulfilling the
demands of online gaming and multimedia
streaming. Moreover, this switch also
supports IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient
Ethernet which helps reduce power
consumption.
It also supports 9KB Jumbo Frames, has
IEEE802.1p priority queuing quality of
service and a magnetic base for secure
placement on any metal surface
Mayflex works closely with its partners
to provide a back up and support service
that sets the company apart from the rest.
An experienced team is on hand to help
and offer advice on product requirements.
Mayflex also offers free delivery to
mainland UK and provides technical and
marketing support to help customers make
the most of their resources.
For further information call 0800
757565 or CLICK HERE
www.mayflex.com
CHANGE
the rules of networking.
Reliability and
Flexibility
For Small and
Growing Businesses
FREE GIFTS WHEN YOU
BUY ONLINE
comms
express
www.comms-express.com
www.comms-express.com/hp
0845 2000 256
monday - friday
8.30am - 5.30pm
PRODUCTS
SWITCHES
Austin Hughes
Austin Hughes now offers Matrix KVM
and Power Socket control using a single IP
address. This gives the user remote Matrix
KVM access into 32x8 servers as well as
control and monitoring of up to 16x24
individual power sockets.
Power socket access from the KVM
switch is via a Category 6 serial interface.
Web based GUI management software
allows the user to see real
time data and provides
remote control and
monitoring of over
a TCP/IP Ethernet
network.
As well as remote on/off
control, the PDU strips also
feature an easy to read field replaceable
digital ammeter that accurately measures
the power on individual strips. The KVM
IP Matrix switches cover up to four-user
simultaneous remote access including one
local, one remote and two IP users on four
different KVM ports at any one time.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.austin-hughes.eu
Harting
The Harting Ha-VIS 4000 family of
Industrial Ethernet switches has been
extended to include power over Ethernet
(PoE) capability, allowing devices such
as cameras and wireless access points to
be integrated quickly and easily into an
industrial network.
In addition to offering simplified
installation through the use of one cable
for Ethernet and power, the availability of
both unmanaged and managed switches
enables users to access two operating
modes - plug and play when using the
unmanaged Ha-VIS eCon 4080-BPoE1
and plug and play including applicationspecific configuration of the PoE
functions with the managed Ha-VIS mCon
4080-BPoE1V.
Individual PoE devices can be booted
up or shut down via a web interface or
SNMP without having to reset the entire
network. This reduces waiting times and
PAGE 32 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
increases network availability.
The Ethernet switches incorporate a
vibration-tested M12 interface and are
designed for an extended temperature
range from -40° to +70°C. They meet
the requirements of the EN50155 and
EN50121-3-2 standards.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.harting.com
SWITCHES
Arista Networks
The Arista 7500 delivers unmatched
throughput, and leverages the unique
combination of performance, density,
and deep buffering to build larger flatter
networks optimised for data centres,
virtualisation, and cloud computing.
It can forward on all ports at Layer 2 and
Layer 3 at wirespeed while simultaneously
switching and routing unicast and multicast
traffic. The low-latency virtual output
queue fabric and an advanced traffic
scheduler results in minimal delay in
forwarding. All packets are received and
stored on the ingress packet processor,
which is equipped with very deep buffers.
In parallel, while storing the packets
a forwarding decision is made by the
scheduler as quickly as possible and the
packet is divided and sent across the
fabric to the egress port(s). The packet is
re-assembled and transmitted out in most
cases without any delays. This results in a
very low latency – under 5 microseconds
on average – for standard Ethernet frame
sizes.
CLICK HERE For further information.
www.aristanetworks.com
Cisco 300 Series Switches
Leap into the Future
The New Generation of Cisco Small Business Switches
Cisco 300 Series Switches
Cisco® 300 Series switches are the
next-generation, managed switch
from Cisco Small Business. This series
offers a broad range of affordable,
fixed-configuration, managed
Ethernet switches. Each is easy to set
up, and delivers the performance that
gives your small and medium business
a reliable, powerful network that
With Next
supports voice, video, and data.
Business Day
Lifetime
Warranty
support
FREE GIFTS WHEN YOU
BUY ONLINE
comms
express
www.comms-express.com
www.comms-express.com/cisco
0845 2000 256
monday - friday
8.30am - 5.30pm
INTELLIGENT
QUICK
CLICKSINFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
Quick clicks
Your one click guide to the
latest industry podcasts,
events, electronic literature,
apps and webcasts
Brand-Rex has published
a white paper examining
intelligent infrastructure
management (IIM)
which is available by
CLICKING HERE.
HellermannTyton has
published a brochure titled
Education Infrastructure
Solutions, which outlines its
extensive experience and
expertise in the education
sector. CLICK HERE to
read it.
iTrinegy has produced a
new video which looks
at how its network
emulation products can
help end users understand
the impact of different
network characteristics on application
performance. CLICK HERE to view.
FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO Inside
Nexans has
launched two new
tenderbook documents
to assist designers
with tender responses
for cabling projects.
The tenderbooks cover office
buildings and data centres and
can be downloaded by
CLICKING HERE.
Rittal’s Top Five
service offers
enclosure
professionals a
unique
customer
advice concept,
with a variety
of inexpensive
advisory services
on all questions
concerning the perfect
application of future
oriented enclosure and
housing technologies.
CLICK HERE to find
out more.
CNet Training has made available
a download of its Global Data
Centre Education Framework
which is available by
CLICKING HERE.
Networks CLICK HERE
Inside Networks
PAGE 34 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
ShIelded Tool Free Jack
Size matters...
Introducing the smallest ever third party approved
shielded tool-free jack
The new 10GPlus Shielded Tool-free Snap-in-Jack is easy and quick to install, its compact construction and
multiple cable-entry options make it the most flexible product of its type available. It is smaller and shorter
than conventional products, allowing for a more comfortable fit in confined spaces.
Actual size
• High performance, shielded jack with an industry leading
electrical performance providing exceptional levels of headroom
• Very short depth – fits easily into the back boxes of desk,
• Third Party Approved
• 360º cable shield termination for EMI protection
• Tool-free technology for fast, intuitive and easy termination
• Separate, flexible and secure strain-relief to support the
• Rear, top, bottom or side cable entry suitable for all installations
• Tiny footprint – 30mm x 14.8mm x 20mm (d x w x h)
• Narrow width – to fit 24 in - component and channel 1U panels
For more information visit www.brand-rex.com/jack
or email marketing@brand-rex.com
floor and wall outlets
installation of thicker cables in smaller spaces such as back-boxes
• For use in ISO/IEC and CENELEC Class EA and ANSI/TIA/EIA
Category 6A cabling systems
• Also available in category 6
PROJECTS
Nacro changes lives with help from UKSolutions
Working in partnership with a range
of organisations across England and
Wales, from resettlement, to youth
projects, education and employment,
Nacro tackles the social causes of
crime, dealing with offenders and exoffenders by offering a broad range of
practical services.
Nacro operates from 180 regional
locations across England and
Wales. Partnership working is a key
component of the work it does, and
provides a unique forum for sharing
ideas, creativity and resources.
With a variety of partner
organisations, the uptake of online
activity and the increased importance
of digital media, Nacro soon recognised
how crucial its online evolution and
expansion could potentially be.
It made a decision to relocate its
data services provision to a more
local provider – therefore gaining the
advantage of proximity. In light of this,
the company approached Warwickshire
based UKSolutions, which offers
premier Tier IV aligned data space with
diverse connectivity options and highlevel security.
Logicalis and Loughborough University
strike cloud partnership
Loughborough University is to deploy
Logicalis’ Cooperative Cloud to costeffectively meet the long-term capacity
demands of its growing research, teaching
and enterprise services. As part of a strategic IT partnership,
PAGE 36 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
Logicalis will design and build an on-site,
bespoke private cloud fully integrated
with an off-site, cooperative hosted
cloud. This single, scalable architecture
will provide unlimited scope for future
capacity provisioning and is set to save the
University over 640 metric tonnes of CO2
per annum and significant cost-savings.
Loughborough’s on-site cloud is built on
enterprise class technology from Cisco,
NetApp and CA to create a self-contained,
highly virtualised and extremely compact
environment. This provides enough
computing, storage and network capacity
to meet immediate local demand, while
long-term future capacity, on-demand
burst capacity and disaster recovery
capability is provided by the Logicalis
hosted cloud.
PROJECTS
Raritan helps eBay data centre team
monitor network energy
eBay demands extreme data centre reliability – any downtime would impact transactions
worth more than $2,000 a second. Thus its global
data centre team must excel in delivering uptime and
flexibility, while keeping costs down.
eBay created a four year data centre plan with an
ambitious goal – to cut power costs in half, while
simultaneously doubling compute performance.
To enable maximum savings, eBay deployed rack PDUs
from Raritan that provide precise energy consumption
data for every single power supply and every
single server.
Accurate to IEC/ANSI billing grade standards, Raritan’s
Dominion PX family of rack PDUs provides continuous
sub +/- 1 per cent accurate kilowatt-hour information
for each individual asset in the data centre. Built with
both IT and facility standards in mind, Dominion PX
can pass this information upstream to eBay’s building
management and asset tracking systems in real time, achieving what Green Grid terms
PUE Category 3 (or PUE3) monitoring. CLICK HERE to read the full story.
MISSED AN ISSUE?
CLICK ON A COVER TO READ MORE
PROJECTS
NextiraOne unifies communications
for Ricoh users across Europe
NextiraOne has reached an agreement
with Ricoh Europe, a specialist in office
solutions, managed document services
and production printing, to deliver unified
communications (UC) in up to 18 countries.
The new solution will create a
collaborative working environment that
will help Ricoh to increase employee
productivity, provide enhanced customer
services and underpin the company’s
environmental vision which is to reduce its
carbon impact by 88 per cent by 2050.
The deal covers UC and a
comprehensive range of applications and
services, encompassing TelePresence,
videoconferencing, AV, digital media
signage, physical security, cabling and Cisco
LAN and wireless infrastructure.
PROJECTS IN BRIEF
The SAS Group has teamed up with BT to deliver a digital content network for Odeon
Cinemas in the UK. The new network will connect 104 locations in the UK and will be
supported by a bespoke managed services agreement created between BT and the
SAS Group.
The Woodard Academies Trust has appointed European Electronique to bring the latest
in ICT solutions that enable individual learning and development through the power
of technology. The work is underway on the Sir Robert Woodard Academy which is
located in West Sussex.
HP Enterprise Services has announced that Centrica has signed a seven-year
outsourcing services agreement worth more than $400m. HP will enable Centrica
to move to a utility-based private cloud computing environment that will support
Centrica’s change program, improve speed of deployment, help lower costs and
support the company’s environmental objectives.
Imerja, working in partnership with Virgin Media Business and Extreme Networks, has
completed a major overhaul of the IT network at Fareham Borough Council.
Next Generation Data, operator of the largest data centre in Europe, will be opening
an office in New York City to market its services to American companies planning to
locate computer operations in the UK.
Fujitsu has significantly improved its data centre reliability and efficiency using Emerson
Network Power’s Aperture software solutions, part of the company’s data centre
infrastructure management (DCIM) solutions portfolio.
PAGE 38 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
CLOUD COMPUTING
The sky’s the
Ma
str
For enterprises around the world the cloud is forcing end users to assess their
Geoff Kreiling of Masergy looks at what can be done to solve the challenge of
Today’s enterprise IT departments
are facing problems that are taxing
them from a personnel as well as a
technology perspective. Enterprises
continue to add more applications
to their global networks, thereby
increasing the strain on network
resources. Budgets remain flat, forcing
IT leaders to maintain support for
complex mission critical applications
with existing or smaller staff levels.
Both external and internal forces,
from unified communications and
desktop video to partner and supply
chain integration, are driving increased
bandwidth demand in the enterprise.
On the up
Bandwidth requirements are constantly
rising and, if not handled correctly, can
result in serious performance issues. To
PAGE 40 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
solve these problems, many enterprise
IT shops are leveraging cloud solutions
such as software as a service (SaaS),
platform as a service (PaaS) and
infrastructure as a service (IaaS).
The corporate network can make
or break a cloud computing strategy.
Bandwidth, security and cost are all
potential pitfalls, and the network has
to alleviate these concerns. To consider
cloud solutions and how they can help
a business, it is vital to understand how
the network shapes the cloud strategy.
Bandwidth elasticity
As enterprise adoption of the
cloud grows, so too will bandwidth
requirements and network complexity.
The only way to address these issues,
and not inhibit the cloud solution, is
to ensure that the network is capable
e limit
CLOUD COMPUTING
and down on demand. Some service
providers offer this capability as a
standalone service or as part of their
network service platform. Ideally,
this service would include multiple
levels of quality of service (QoS) for
the effective management of cloud
applications. With this capability an
enterprise can prioritise its applications
according to their importance to the
business to manage the additional
network traffic.
Performance art
Whether IT staff are running virtualised
desktops, migrating legacy applications
any enterprise IT departments are implementing a cloud
to a SaaS environment or leveraging
rategy in a structured piecemeal fashion
IaaS to turn up a new server array for
development or testing, it is critical that
they have visibility into the network’s
network capabilities.
performance and behaviour and are able
f the global cloud
to make changes, in real time, to the
of handling the resulting growth in
network based on that information.
demand. Of course, an ad-hoc approach
Some companies are stuck with
to connectivity is certainly possible.
deploying overlay network management
However, the increase in required
solutions that capture performance
bandwidth could be significant, and
information, but deplete available
might be sporadic.
bandwidth and potentially add latency
Thus, adding additional bandwidth
to other applications. Ideally the cloud
capacity might be too costly, especially service would include an embedded
if it is only used periodically. Conversely, management service that could
as a company grows and requires more
provide granular traffic statistics
cloud computing infrastructure, relying for greater visibility into application
on the existing corporate network to
performance across the network along
cope with increased demand is risky.
with the controls to optimise network
The increased demand could overwhelm performance.
other applications, and IT staff risk not
having sufficient insight into how the
Safe and secure
applications are performing between
Even if an enterprise does have
office locations and the data centre.
a network that has the required
One solution is to deploy a network
bandwidth elasticity, visibility and
solution that provides elastic bandwidth control for cloud connectivity, it does
capabilities to dial bandwidth up
not necessarily mean it has the security.
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 41
X
CLOUD COMPUTING
Network security has always proven
to be one of the most pressing issues
for network managers, and the cloud
has only exaggerated these concerns.
Companies face a wide range of
malicious behaviour that can attack
the network, and potentially become
catastrophic.
Security has been a major inhibitor of
widespread cloud service deployment
for the enterprise space. Not only are
companies hesitant to send proprietary
information or mission critical
applications across the Internet, they
are also concerned about resources on
the Internet becoming unavailable due
to DDOS attacks or other nefarious
activity. While encryption lessens
some of the security concerns it also
adds latency and potentially impedes
application performance.
The network has to be capable
of maintaining performance while
offering complete security. That is
why enterprises are taking a closer
look at private cloud and hybrid cloud
strategies. Utilising MPLS and VPLS VPN
technology, businesses can connect
securely to cloud service providers to
protect company information while
facilitating distributed access to those
assets and removing the dependency on
a best effort network.
Cost management
A final pitfall to the wide-scale adoption
of cloud computing is overcoming the
embedded costs of private corporate
data centres. Most large enterprises
have built their own data centres to
handle the scalability, security and
management of business applications
while protecting the underlying
corporate data. These businesses
have been hesitant to abandon this
investment – and indeed this control –
to external providers.
At some point in time this model
becomes too expensive to support,
whether from a real estate, power or
personnel perspective. Maintaining
data centres, and keeping up with the
growing demand for new services, have
given IT staff good reason to rethink
this do-it-yourself strategy. At one
time the capabilities of cloud computing
may have seemed more like a promise
than a real service – but as they say,
times have changed.
What can the cloud offer if a business
has already invested in its own data
centre? It is a difficult situation because
there has already been
a large investment
of capital, but on the
other side, there might
not necessarily be the
budget to maintain
or improve network
performance. This is
why cost continues to
be the most difficult
cloud migration
The network will play an important role in helping global
challenge to overcome.
businesses build successful cloud strategies
PAGE 42 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
CLOUD COMPUTING
‘At one time the capabilities of cloud
computing may have seemed more like a
promise than a real service – but as they say,
times have changed.’
Cost effective
While many enterprise IT departments
are implementing a cloud strategy in
a structured piecemeal fashion, when
the cost of data centre construction
and maintenance is taken into account,
it will start becoming apparent that
the flexibility of the cloud is the way
IT will surely progress in coming years.
A simple example is being able to spin
any number of servers, for as long as
required, on demand. This flexibility
proves too enticing for enterprises to
ignore.
However, businesses will not accept
poor performance – after all, the cloud
is supposed to be an agile business tool.
The major challenge is yielding LAN
performance over what is essentially
a WAN environment. This is a critical
issue especially when we consider
the potential strain on a network that
utilises multiple cloud services. There
might be partners who need to connect
to the business’ corporate network and
sales executives who need to access
cloud CRM. Therefore, the network
must be able to cope with this demand.
Problem solving
So what is the solution? A partial
outsourcing of IT to the cloud is
definitely possible, but only if the
network can help maintain or improve
existing performance. The network has
to offer LAN level insight so that in the
short-term application performance can
be managed, while allowing for longterm planning and cost savings.
In summary, to see the cloud reach
the upper echelons of IT, the network
will have to rise with it. Whether it is
working hand in hand with the cloud
provider, ensuring total network
visibility or offering intelligent network
management, the network is set to play
its most important role yet in helping
global businesses build successful
cloud strategies. ❏
Geoff Kreiling
Geoff Kreiling is a product manager
for Masergy and is responsible
for the company’s cloud strategy,
transport products and managed
services portfolio. Geoff has more
than 14 years experience in the IT and
telecommunications industry in product
management, sales, sales engineering
and marketing.
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 43
CHANNEL UPDATE
Computacenter’s partnership first with
Panduit boosts cabling services
Computacenter has become the first IT
services and solutions provider in the
UK to achieve Gold EMEA Partner with
Panduit. As a result, organisations can
now obtain certified advice about how
to achieve the maximum business value
from Panduit’s technologies, including its
Unified Physical Infrastructure
(UPI) solution.
Kenny Presly, UK channel director for
Panduit, commented, ‘Customers now
have access to end-to-end connectivity
solutions that minimise risk and improve
business agility. Gold partner status
enables Computacenter to enhance the
connectivity services it provides and
provide informed advice around future
proofing their physical infrastructure.’
Neal Silverstein from Computacenter,
added, ‘To maximise investments in
technologies that enhance competitive
advantage, organisations have
increasing bandwidth requirements. We
can help address these challenges with
cabling infrastructures that are reliable
and cost effective.’
NBM announces sponsorship of
Olympic sailing contender
NBM Distribution has
announced that it has
agreed to sponsor
a young Olympic
hopeful in his quest
to become a Topper
dinghy champion.
Aaron Murray
is the son of
Extreme Networks
director, Cammy Murray, and he has
been selected to be part of the GBR
Intermediate Topper dinghy squad.
Aaron began sailing when he was
just six years old and received his
first Topper dinghy in 2008. That
year he competed in the RYA Zone
Championships and achieved 10th
place overall out of 29 boats and was
PAGE 44 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
selected for the RYA
Scotland Topper
Squad. Having been
selected by the GBR
squad, Aaron will take
part in the Topper
World Championships
in 2011 in Dublin,
Ireland, and then
hopes to achieve his
ultimate goal which is to sail at
the Olympics.
Danny Kindell, director at NBM
Distribution, commented, ‘We are
delighted to be able to support Aaron
in his efforts to be an Olympian. He
is a highly talented individual and we
wish him all the best in the forthcoming
Topper World Championships.’
CHANNEL UPDATE
Mayflex adds customer survey to its website
Mayflex has added a customer survey to
its website, giving customers the chance
to give their feedback at a time which best
suits them. Designed to be completed in
less than 15 minutes the questions are a
mixture of multiple choice and open ended
with plenty of opportunities for customers
to give their feedback and comments.
The survey has been developed as
part of the company’s ongoing focus on
improving service levels. Questions will
be reviewed periodically to ensure they
reflect what is currently relevant to the
business.
Martin Eccleston, commercial
manager at Mayflex,
commented, ‘The data from
the survey will be collated
on a monthly basis and any
customer who has highlighted
an area of concern can be
assured that they will receive a response
directly from the manager who looks after
that particular area of the business.’
CLICK HERE to take part in the Mayflex
online customer survey.
CHANNEL UPDATE IN BRIEF
RF Code, a leading provider of real-time IT asset management and wire-free
environmental monitoring solutions, has formally launched its European Channel Program.
The goal is to help partners to promote, sell and support RF Code’s innovative range of
wire-free environmental and power monitoring and real-time IT asset tracking solutions.
RaamProducts, specialising in enterprise content management (ECM) solutions and the
European distributor of Digitech Systems, has opened a UK office headed by Andrew
Graham. As a UK country manager, Graham is responsible for developing a focused
commercial strategy for the UK and Ireland and building a leading reseller channel.
AuDeo, an integrator of high quality visual communications technologies,
has announced a joint partnership with Masergy. AuDeo will offer its clients high
quality videoconferencing solutions along with Masergy’s high performance network
service platform.
NextiraOne has become a NetApp Gold Partner as the company continues to
strengthen its end-to-end data centre offering in the European market.
Emulex has announced its next-generation Connect Partner Program for channel
partners and value-added resellers (VARs). It offers partner-specific content, Emulex
Expert online technical and sales training certifications, bigger SPIFs, faster claims and
higher profit margins.
Mobotix has opened a new demonstration and meeting room at London’s iconic
Gherkin office complex which is fully bookable by any registered UK partner.
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 45
Calling all past, present and future Data Centre
and Information Technology facility and project
managers, architects, engineers, designers and
consultants…
The 2011 BICSI European Conference & Exhibition is a must-attend event for all
Data Centre and Information Technology Systems professionals, featuring:
• Technical presentations from global leaders in the industry.
• An amazing Exhibit Hall full of the industry’s top suppliers.
• Numerous opportunities to network and connect with your peers.
15% Off BICSI’s Data Centre Standard for all conference delegates! With
demand for greater capacity, increased efficiency and higher levels of utilisation,
learn the best practices to minimise risk and advance your career!
Visit www.bicsi.org/european for more information and to register today!
Educate Globally. Deliver Locally.
Conference for the Information
Technology Systems Industry
Official 2011 BICSI European Conference & Exhibition Media Partners:
© BICSI, March 2011. All rights reserved.
BICSI is a registered trademark of BICSI, Inc.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Panduit
Panduit’s Physical Infrastructure Manager
(PIM) Software Platform Version 4.1
now offers work order integration with
BMC Remedy and Ayanova as well as
an Enterprise Bundle that provides
connectivity management at the teleco
room and the extended enterprise.
Working with PanView iQ (PVIQ) system
hardware and select third-party devices,
the PIM Software Platform provides
continuous, local, and remote visibility of
connectivity, power usage, asset tracking
and utilisation, and environmental
conditions within a data centre – in realtime.
Panduit’s PIM Software Platform is
a physical infrastructure management
system for tracking the allocation
and utilisation of critical IT assets
within the data centre and throughout
the enterprise. The platform lays
Siemon
Siemon has announced the
addition of several new
OM4 fibre optic products
to its comprehensive line of
high performance cabling
solutions. Siemon’s new OM4
Plug and Play fibre cable
assemblies, pre-terminated
duplex trunking cables and
traditional field-terminated
cable and connectivity
provide an extended
distance multimode option
for 10Gb/s as well future proof migration
options for 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s
application speeds.
The OM4 Plug and Play system’s
modules and adaptors are supported
the foundation for effective Data
Centre Infrastructure Management
(DCIM) through accurate and timely
documentation of these physical assets,
improved visibility into asset moves, adds
and changes (MACs), and process-driven
integration with applicable management
systems.
CLICK HERE to view a copy of the
Panduit PIM Software Platform Brochure
www.panduit.com
by a wide array of factoryterminated cable assemblies
that combine Siemon’s
reduced-diameter RazorCore
cable with 12 fibre MTP
connectors.
These 40Gb/s or 100Gb/sready MTP-to-MTP cable
assemblies can be ordered
in custom lengths and are
designed to be quickly pulled
and connected to Plug and
Play modules or MTP adaptor
plates. Available in 12 to 144
fibre counts in increments
of 12 fibres, these assemblies are user
configurable to precise application
requirements.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.siemon.com
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 47
COPPER CABLING
PRODUCTS
& SERVICES
SYSTEMS
Raritan
Raritan manufactures the broadest
portfolio of smart power distribution
units (PDUs) to enable energy
management in the data centre.
The Raritan Dominion PX family of
high quality rack PDUs offers realtime remote power monitoring
of current (amps), voltage,
power (kVA, kW) and energy
consumption (kWh) with +/- 1
per cent billing-grade accuracy.
There are hundreds of models
to meet all your data centre
applications, including models with
outlet switching, individual outlet
metering, high power
for blade servers and high density
applications, and 400V
power distribution.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.raritan.co.uk
Draka
Draka Communications’
current range of FTP
cabling solutions
provides a solution to
the challenge of cable
packing density in
10 Gigabit Ethernet
projects. Using shielded
cabling provides
security and space
saving advantages
when run within three
compartment containment systems.
For data centres, S/FTP cables offer the
most secure option for data traffic integrity
and FTP is highly recommended for the
protection of 10 Gigabit Ethernet traffic.
Shielded cables are mistakenly perceived
as thicker and harder to work with –
wrongly, as unshielded cables are often
extremely rigid due to their thicker jacket.
Correct cable screening eliminates the need
for the space-wasting separation of UTP
cables, which often results in larger bundles
PAGE 48 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
in the cable channels. So shielding indirectly
contributes to lower overall installation
costs, while providing significantly increased
headroom to AXT, as well as a greater degree
of overall noise immunity.
Draka cable designs offer a 10 per cent
less diameter advantage over many UTP
designs, together with the additional security
of shielding to accommodate the most up to
date 10 Gigabit Ethernet applications.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.draka.com/connectivity
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Avaya
Avaya’s Data
Networking Solutions
offer a versatile
portfolio of products
that allow enterprises
to build fit for
purpose networks.
Avaya VENA is a
true, fit-for-purpose
virtual networking
architecture for the
data centre and enterprise campus. It
helps enterprises reap the benefits of
virtualisation in a more simplified and
cost-effective manner, and is designed
to help IT departments meet the surging
demand for new content and business
collaboration applications.
VENA is comprised of three elements:
•
The virtual services
fabric (the network
backbone), created by
Shortest Path Bridging,
allowing end-to-end
virtual networks to be
created in an instant
simply by configuring
the two end switches.
Avaya Ethernet
Switching platforms,
including the modular core ERS
8600/8800 and top-end Virtual Services
Platform 9000 switches.
Virtualised network management
and access control components for full
network visibility and security.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.avaya.com
•
•
Emerson Network Power
Emerson Network
Power has introduced
Smart Solutions, a
family of intelligent,
integrated
infrastructure
systems. As part
of the family,
the company has
introduced the
SmartRow, SmartMod
and SmartAisle.
SmartRow supports up to 20kW of
IT equipment in an enclosed, multi-rack
configuration with integrated power,
cooling, infrastructure management
and fire suppression. By reducing room
modifications it can reduce initial capital
costs by about 10 per cent and ongoing
energy costs by up to 30 per cent.
SmartMod can be used to supplement
existing data centre
capacity or can be deployed
as a standalone, remote
data centre or disaster
recovery site. Unlike other
containerised systems, the
SmartMod enclosure comes
in configurations to support
a wide range of capacity
needs.
SmartAisle can
increase efficiency and
provide flexibility through row-based
infrastructure. Through a simplified,
modular design, SmartAisle
configurations reduce equipment
costs, optimise the use of existing
infrastructure, free up stranded capacity
and reduce energy consumption.
CLICK HERE for further information.
www.eu.emersonnetworkpower.com
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 49
FINAL WORD
The 3D image from
an interferometer of a
ferrule end
Equality and div
Rosemary McGlashon of 3M explains why the move towards standardisation o
does not necessarily mean a level playing field for quality
In theory, standardisation is
good news. Specifiers, consultants
and installers have reduced risk and
uncertainty, because they do not have
to spend time evaluating products and
potentially have more choice and less
vendor ‘lock-in’. End users know they
are getting a product that conforms to
industry specifications. Even suppliers
potentially benefit, because they
know they are selling a ‘risk free’
product, although of course
standardisation often leads to a more
competitive market.
Progression
Standards normally take into account
technological progression, which
can ease the change across different
technology evolutions and support
PAGE 50 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
backwards compatibility. They also
ensure interoperability between
different products and result in a level
of quality that provides the user
with reassurance.
In Europe, the most prominent
and influential connector standards
producer is the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
The IEC’s standards generally secure
the endorsement of other European
standards bodies. However, cabling
connector standards are not legally
binding in some countries, so
although widely supported, adoption is
entirely voluntary. Also, it is vital to understand that
different standards cover different
aspects, including design, testing and
product quality. Plus, products still have
FINAL WORD
versity
of connectors
varying design parameters that exist
outside the guidelines of the standards.
Standard bearer
Let’s start by looking at the main
standards available. Copper data
connectors of the RJ-45 type are
covered by the IEC60603-7 series
of standards, including two published
in mid 2010 to cover Category
6A shielded and unshielded jacks.
Fibre connectors are a little more
complicated, because they have a
mechanical interface standard which
covers how the connectors physically fit
together (IEC61754 series); an optical
interface standard which covers how
different types of fibres and ferrules
optically interact (IEC61755 series);
and the IEC61753 series performance
standards, which cover the mechanical
and environmental tests, such as
reaction to heat and cold or to torsion.
This means that when specifying
optical fibre connectors, all three
standards systems need to be
considered. Also, while they cover
performance, testing and repeated
joining of the connectors, these
standards do not focus on long-term
reliability of individual products. For
this, installers and specifiers need
to refer to ISO9000 or equivalent
manufacturing processes.
One way around all this is to use
independent product qualification
programmes from a small number
of vendors, but in the data network
market, these really only apply
to copper components. For fibre
installation, the onus is on the installer,
specifier or consultant to understand
what is important in fibre connectors
standards and in particular, to
understand some of the less familiar
features, which are just as important as
the more obvious elements. Raising your game
Take for example the mechanical
alignment of the two joining fibres,
upon which good performance is
dependent. Drawings of the outline and
mating parts of the plug and adaptor
(the mechanical interface) can be found
in the IEC standards and these are
relatively easy to reproduce given the
standard and a few samples. Often overlooked are the optical
interface and the connector
performance. For a modern fibre
connector to work properly the fibres
in the two ferrules – the fibre holding
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 51
X
FINAL WORD
‘Connectors that are simple to install are more
likely to be fitted properly, as well as more
straightforward to test and maintain.’
parts of the connectors, usually made
of ceramic – need to be in physical
contact and under a certain amount of
pressure. The tip of the fibre’s circular
ferrule is what counts here, notably
three elements – the radius of the endface, the apex offset and the undercut. Get any of these wrong and signal
loss could be affected, leading
to interference and meaning that
the connector does not meet the
specification. The faster the data
speeds, the allowable signal loss is
reduced and therefore there is reduced
room for error. Furthermore, when
using 12-way multi-fibre connectors
(MPO), the potential problems are
magnified many times because each
fibre must align with its counterpart and
all 12 pairs must mate together at the
same time. This is usually achieved by
the fibres protruding slightly from the
plastic ferrule. Control of this protrusion
of all the fibres and a number of other
factors, such as the end face radius and
the quality of the alignment pins, is
critical to the long-term performance
of the connection.
These three parameters can be
controlled by the installer during
the polishing phase, but also on the
assembly of the connector in the
factory. This is why being clear on what
is included in the specification is so
important – is it based on the installer’s
PAGE 52 www.insidenetworks.co.uk APRIL 11
mechanical control during the polishing
phase and the quality of the polishing
material, whether or not using one
of the on-site termination systems
available? Or is it dictated as part of the
product design in the factory and tested
using an interferometer so some of
the guesswork has effectively already
been removed?
Good design
The mechanical and environmental
performance of the connector is as
important as the optical connection.
With the advent of small form factor
connectors, up to 96 connections
are being placed in one height unit of
rack space. When moves and changes
take place, connections need to be
disconnected and replaced without
disturbing adjacent lines. With such high
density it is easy to nudge neighbouring
What would be seen on an interferometer
screen at the point of measuring the radius,
apex offset and undercut
FINAL WORD
connectors during relocation.
This is another instance where
connector design is so vital. Connectors
that are properly designed are immune
to such ‘static side pull’. Those that are
designed just to mechanically intermate may not be. Also, for copper and
fibre connectors, side pull shows up
those with poorly protected back ends
or ‘boots’. If there is no protection
against bending at the rear of the
connector the minimum bend radius
is easily compromised, causing loss of
signal in fibre connectors
and deterioration of performance in
copper links.
Perhaps harder to quantify but, in
my opinion important, are connectors
that support easy installation and have
strong design aesthetics. Connectors
that are simple to install are more likely
to be fitted properly, as well as more
straightforward to test and maintain.
Also, easy installation contributes to
faster installation, thus lowering time on
site and, therefore, the overall cost of
the project. Uncertain times
The increasing move towards
standardisation of connectors is
arguably a good thing, but the potential
downside is that it would be easy to
assume that standardisation means a
level playing field for quality. This is
unlikely to be the case. Inferior quality
connectors that do not meet all the
relevant industry standards and tests
can lead to installation and network
performance problems. Cheap is not
always cheerful. The connector market
is not a range of homogenous products
that are created equal. ❏
Rosemary McGlashon
Rosemary McGlashon has more than
20 years experience in structured
cabling and is currently European
product manager for 3M, which has
ranges of both fibre and copper cabling
components and systems under the
Volition brand name.
She is currently on the UK national
committees for both cabling standards
and fibre components and attends IEC
and Cenelec working groups as UK
expert for fibre connectors, closures
and testing. Rosemary is secretary of
IEC SC86B working group 6 on optical
fibre connectors.
APRIL11 www.insidenetworks.co.uk PAGE 53
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