Optimizing The 10-Gbe Port Configuration - HP 5400zl Series Technical Overview

Optimizing the 10-GbE port configuration

The 10-GbE modules (J8707A, J8708A, and J8694A) used in the HP ProCurve Switch 3500yl, 5400zl,
and 6200yl series are designed to deliver full 10 Gbps wire-speed to each port, where either one or two
ports are in a linked state with another device. When three or four 10-GbE ports are in a linked state,
the module supports an aggregate bandwidth of 28.8 Gbps across the linked ports.
As illustrated in the figure below, internally, there are two 14.4-Gbps channels between each 4-port 10-
GbE module and the switch fabric.
Figure 12. 10-GbE module architecture showing ports grouped by 14.4 Gbps channel
• When any two 10-GbE ports on a given module are in a linked state, each port automatically
operates on its own channel, which guarantees 10 Gbps of bandwidth for each port.
• When more than two ports of a 10-GbE module are in a linked state, ports 1 and 4 are statically
mapped to share one 14.4 Gbps channel, while ports 2 and 3 are statically mapped to share the other
14.4 Gbps channel.
– If only one port in a given channel is in a linked state, then that port operates at wire-speed and the
other port uses no bandwidth.
– If both ports in a given channel are in a linked state, then the 14.4 Gbps of bandwidth is balanced
fairly between the two ports
For example, in an application where three ports on the module are needed and it is important to ensure
that port 1 always has a full 10 Gbps available, the connection choices shown in the next figure would
be used.
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