IBM G8264T Product Manual

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IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T
IBM Redbooks Product Guide
IBM System Networking now offers the IBM RackSwitch G8264 (leveraging SFP+ technology) and the
IBM RackSwitch G8264T (leveraging 10Gbase-T technology). Both are 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet
(GbE) switches specifically designed for the data center, and are ideal for today's big data, cloud and
optimized workload solutions. They are enterprise class Layer 2 and layer 3 full featured switches that
deliver line-rate, high-bandwidth switching, filtering, and traffic queuing without delaying data. Large
data-center grade buffers help keep traffic moving, while the redundant power and fans along with
numerous high availability features help provide high availability for business sensitive traffic.
The RackSwitch G8264, shown in Figure 1, is ideal for latency sensitive applications such as high
performance computing clusters and financial applications. In addition to the 10GbE and 40GbE
connections, the G8264 also has the capability for legacy 1GbE connections. The G8264 supports the
newest protocols including Data Center Bridging/Converged Enhanced Ethernet (DCB/CEE) for
support of Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) in addition to ISCSI and NAS.
The G8264 is also designed to support IBM Virtual Fabric, which helps clients significantly reduce cost
and complexity related to I/O requirements of many virtualization deployments. Virtual Fabric helps
you reduce the number of multiple I/O adapters to a single dual-port 10 G adapter, and also to reduce
the number of cables and required upstream switch ports. Virtual Fabric allows you to carve a
dual-port 10 G server adapter into 8 virtual NICs (vNICs) and to create dedicated virtual pipes
between the adapter and the switch for optimal performance., higher availability, and improved
security. Using Virtual Fabric IT can make dynamic changes and allocate bandwidth per vNIC,
making it possible to adjust over time without downtime.
Figure 1. IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264
The G8264T is part of a comprehensive 10GBase-T IBM solution that includes servers, storage and
networking and that provides improved virtualization, better management, and smarter connectivity
options for next generation data centers. Flexible connectivity across distances up to 100m at a low
cost makes the G8264T an optimal choice for connecting high-speed server and storage devices.
Figure 2. IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264T
Did you know
Did you know that:
IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 1