Asterfusion Enterprise SONiC based 100G Data Center Switches Overview

What is a 100G Switch?

Imagine a world where data flows as swiftly as a river, effortlessly connecting devices and powering our digital lives. Enter the 100G Ethernet Switch—a high-performance network device designed to deliver an astonishing throughput of up to100 gigabits per second (Gbps)! This powerhouse acts as the central hub in a network, interlinking multiple devices and enabling rapid, efficient data exchange.By harnessing the power of 100G Ethernet technology, these switches dramatically enhance transmission capacity while minimizing latency. This means faster data transfer speeds, making them indispensable for modern data centers that cater to the ever-growing demands of high-bandwidth applications. Whether it’s streaming, cloud computing, or big data analytics, a 100G switch is your ticket to seamless connectivity.

How to Choose a 100G Data Center Switch

Selecting the right 100G data center switch can feel overwhelming, but fear not! Here’s a dynamic guide to help you navigate this crucial decision:

1. Performance Matters!

At the core of any 100G switch is itsperformance. Look for switches equipped with cutting-edge ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) that promise high throughput and low latency. A robust CPU is essential for managing control plane tasks, ensuring your switch can handle both routine and complex operations without breaking a sweat. After all, in a fast-paced data center environment, every millisecond counts!

2. Hardware Design: Built to Last

Thehardware design of your switch is crucial for both reliability and ease of maintenance. Seek out models with hot-swappable components like power supplies and fans, which allow for quick upgrades without downtime. Additionally, effective heat dissipation is vital—look for switches with well-designed fan systems that promote optimal airflow and reduce hotspots. Remember, a switch with high port density can support more connections, minimizing the need for additional devices.

3. Software: The Brain Behind the Operation

A powerful network operating system is the brain of your switch. It should offer a comprehensive suite of features, including Layer 2/3 functionalities, virtualization capabilities, and advanced security measures. As data centers evolve,open operating systems are gaining popularity, allowing organizations to customize their networks without being tied to specific hardware. This flexibility fosters innovation and rapid integration of new functions.

Asterfusion 100G Data Center Switches: Power Meets Flexibility

Introducing Asterfusion’s CX-N series switches, designed for ultra-low latency and industry-leading forwarding speeds. Powered by enterprise-grade SONiC NOS, these switches unlock advanced features tailored for demanding data center environments. The series includes two stellar options: the CX532P-Nwith 32*100G ports and the CX564P-N boasting 64*100G ports. With Asterfusion, you can enjoy the perfect blend of flexibility and performance, ensuring your data center is ready for whatever the future holds.

The Features of 100G Data Center Switches

Hardware Features: Unleashing Unmatched Performance

Marvell Teralynx 7: The Speed Demon of Networking

Get ready to experience lightning-fast performancewith the Asterfusion CX532P-N and CX564P-N switches, powered by the ultra-efficient Marvell Teralynx 7 chipset. This cutting-edge technology minimizes forwarding latency by combining a high-speed hardware acceleration engine with a non-blocking switching architecture. What does this mean for you? It means packets zip through the switch with minimal delay, delivering exceptional network speed and efficiency.With an astonishing 520ns latency for the CX532P-N and an even quicker 400ns for the CX564P-N, these switches are engineered for environments where every nanosecond counts. They’re perfect for high-stakes applications like AI,high-frequency trading, and financial data centers, where real-time performance is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity!

Versatile Interface Options: Flexibility at Your Fingertips

The Asterfusion 100G data center switches are all about versatility. With their100G ports, you can easily adapt to your network’s needs. These ports are backward compatible with40G and can break out into four 25G orfour 10Gconnections, giving network administrators a wealth of configuration choices.

• CX532P-N: Featuring 32x 100G ports, this model is ideal for small to medium data centers looking for robust performance.
• CX564P-N: With 64x 100G ports, this powerhouse is perfect for large data centers that demand high-density connectivity and scalability.

Both switches come equipped with an RJ45 management port,RJ45 console port, and USB2.0 port for seamless configuration and monitoring. Plus, they include two additional 10G ports for management tasks like INT Telemetry, ensuring you have everything you need to keep your network running smoothly.

Software Features: The Brain Behind the Switch

When it comes to software, Asterfusion doesn’t cut corners. Their 100G switches are equipped with Enterprise-grade SONiC NOS, meticulously fine-tuned for data center environments. This isn’t just any operating system; it offers advanced features, enhanced stability, and dedicated after-sales support that you can rely on.The inclusion of the KLISH command line allows traditional network engineers to transition smoothly to open networking, significantly reducing learning costs. Since 2017, Asterfusion’s dedicated R&D team of over 100 experts has been perfecting this enterprise version of SONiC, gaining invaluable experience across sectors like AI,education,telecommunications, and cloud services.

RoCEv2: Enabling Losless Transmission in Data Center Networks

Say goodbye to latency issues and hello to seamless data transmission! The Asterfusion CX-N seriesswitches, including the CX532P-N and CX564P-N, are here to revolutionize your network with Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) over Ethernet (RoCEv2). This cutting-edge technology tackles server-side data computation latency, allowing your CPU to focus on what really matters—running applications and processing massive datasets.With RoCEv2, you can boost bandwidth while dramatically reducing latency, jitter, and CPU load. Imagine having dedicated priority lanes for your RoCE flows thanks to Priority Flow Control (PFC), while Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) smartly predicts and prevents network congestion. Plus,Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS)guarantees consistent service quality for similar traffic types, ensuring your bandwidth is fully utilized. And let’s not forget Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX), which simplifies the configuration of DCB parameters for RoCE devices.What’s even more exciting? RoCEv2 delivers ultra-low-latency, lossless networking at less than one-third the cost of InfiniBand, providing exceptional performance without breaking the bank. For a deeper dive into RoCE and InfiniBand, check out our detailed guide here.

EVPN Multihoming: Optimizing Network Load Balancing

But that’s not all! The CX532P-N and CX564P-N switches also integrate advanced technologies like EVPN Multi-homing for redundancy and load balancing. With BGP EVPN managing network information and VXLAN enabling large-scale network expansion through tunneling, these switches are designed for the future.In practical terms, this means you can offload virtual networks and distributed network function gateways directly onto the switches, enhancing server computing power and simplifying the creation of virtual nodes. The result? Maximized CPU efficiency and a data center network that is not only efficient but also reliable and scalable. Want to learn more about EVPN Multi-homing? Dive into the details here.

48*25G+8*100G QSFP28 uplinks Data Center Leaf (TOR) Switch

We’ve already explored the spine switch, so now let’s dive into the impressive leaf switch: the CX308P-N. This powerhouse features 8 upstream 100G ports and 48 downstream 25G ports, making it a versatile choice for your network needs.

Performance Comparison: Asterfusion ROCE switch vs. InfiniBand

Curious about how Asterfusion stacks up against InfiniBand?

In a recent comparison test conducted in a distributed storage network scenario, the results were clear: the CX532P-N switch outperformed the Mellanox SB7700 in various features, showcasing lower latency levels and superior overall performance. In this storage scenario, the CX532P-N switch not only excelled but did so at about 50% of the price of the dedicated InfiniBand device. This makes it an incredibly cost-effective solution for organizations looking to enhance their network capabilities without compromising on performance.

For more visit:https://cloudswit.ch/blogs/100g-data-center-switches-of-open-networking/

For more tests of Asterfusion 100G Data Center Switches VS IB

Click here to view additional test data on Asterfusion data center switches in AI/Storage/HPC scenarios:https://cloudswit.ch/blogs/sonic-switches-rocev2-test-in-aigc-storage-hpc/#ro-c-ev-2-switches-test-result-in-aigc-network

Click here to view additional test data on HPC scenarios:https://cloudswit.ch/blogs/roce-for-hpc-test-data-and-deploy-on-sonic/