10 Gigabit Ethernet network is popular in data center now. 10GbE interfaces mainly include SFP+, SFP+ direct attach cable, and 10GBase-T. Most data centers choose connection of SFP+ and SFP+ DAC. As 10GBase-T offers benefits of increased flexibility, infrastructure simplification, cost reduction, 10GBase-T interface is more and more widely used. To build 10Gbase-T connection, you need an indispensable equipment- 10GBase-T switch. As some are confused about choosing 10GBase-T switch, this article will recommend several 10GBase-T switches and hope that can help you.
10GBASE-T Switch Recommendation 1–Cisco Nexus 5596T Switch
Cisco plays a leading role in optical communication industry. Cisco Ethernet switch is famous for its high quality and is always the first choice of some data centers. Cisco Nexus 5596T switch is one of Cisco 10Gbase-T switch. Let’s get a close look at it.
Cisco Nexus 5596T switch has 96 ports, including 32 fixed 10Gbase-T ports and 16 fixed SFP+ ports in a compact 2RU form factor. It’s configured with three expansion modules which can be used to increase the number of 10Gigabit Ethernet, FCOE ports, Unified Ports, or to connect to 1/2/4/8 native Fibre Channel ports. Throughput of Cisco Nexus 5596T Switch can reach up to 1.92 Tbps. With Cisco Nexus 5596T 10gb switch you can enjoy the benefits of 10GBASE-T technology and its simplicity, speed, and design flexibility.
10GBASE-T Switch Recommendation 2–Arista Networks 7050T-64 Switch
Arista 7050T-64 10Gbase-T switch is one of Arista 7050TX series, which show obvious advantages in performance, scale and power efficiency in fixed 10G data center switches. The 7050T-64 switch offers 48 auto-negotiating 1Gb/10GBase-T ports with standard RJ45 interfaces and 4x40G QSFP+ ports. Each QSFP+ port can operate as four independent 10G ports to provide 64 10G interfaces. As data center server access, 7050T-64 switch offers backwards compatibility with existing standard Gigabit Ethernet cabling and saves cost on migration to 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
10GBASE-T Switch Recommendation 3–S5850-48T4Q Switch
S5850-48T4Q switch, offered by FS.COM (Fiberstore), is a high performance Ethernet switch applicable Metro, Data Center and Enterprise network. This switch has 48 10Gbase-T ports with standard R45 interfaces and 4x40GbE QSFP+ ports in a compact 1RU form factor. It supports operating rates of 1Gbit/s, 10 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s, 100Gbit/s and auto-negotiation. The S5850-48T4Q comes with complete system software with comprehensive protocols and applications to facilitate rapid service deployment and management for both traditional layer2/3 networks and Data Center networks. S5850-48T4Q 10Gbase-T switch stands out because of many advantages. With pluggable redundant fans and power supply, it supports 1+1 redundancy. And the temperature and status of fans and power supply can be real-time monitored by the system. The fan supports intelligent speed control function, green and energy-saving. This is a low power consumption and low latency 10Gbase-T switch.
Comparison of Cisco & Arista & FS 10Gbase-T Switches
From switch appearance, these switches has different numbers of 10Gbase-T ports. From switch property, Cisco Nexus 5596T switch and Arista 7050T-64 10Gbase-T switch are traditional switches while FS S5850-48T4Q switch is OpenFlow/SDN (Software Defined Network) switch. What is SDN switch and what is the difference? You may be not very clear about this. An SDN switch is a software program or hardware device that forwards packets in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment. This kind of switch separates the data plane from the control plane. The data plane is implemented in the switch but the control plane is implemented in software and a separate SDN controller makes high-level routing decisions. The switch and SDN controller communicate by OpenFlow protocol. However, in a traditional switch, packet forwarding and high level routing are implemented in a same device. Another difference that can’t be ignored is the price. Cisco Nexus 5596T switch is about $40,500. Arista 7050T-64 is about $15,829.64. And FS S5850-48T4Q switch $4,599.
I have recommended three 10Gbase-T switches in this article, traditional or SDN switch, expensive or cheap type. By the comparison above, you can decide which one you’ll choose. More conveniences, here I recommend 10Gbase-t SFP+ transceivers for your 10Gbase-T switches.
Related articles on 10Gbase-T Switch:
How to Use 10GBASE-T Switch to Build Spine-Leaf Network
1000BASE-T Switch with SFP Ports Interconnection Methods
FS 10Gbase-T Switch: Breaks the Price Barrier for 10G Network
