networks ICT
will struggle, even when using 10Gbps tools. It is therefore clear that this method of straight aggregation and filtering alone cannot be used to reliably direct appropriate network traffic to the monitoring tools. The tools will become quickly oversubscribed, resulting in serious packet losses and blind spots, and rendering them incapable of meaningful analysis.
Meeting modern demands
In order to address, and circumnavigate, the challenges presented by these legacy solutions, network operators require a monitoring resolution that will allow them to scale just a few connections up to thousands – allowing them to filter, aggregate, consolidate and replicate data to the existing monitoring tools. While this alone will solve some of the problem, reducing CAPEX and OPEX costs, without a level of intelligent filtering some of the traditional challenges will still be present. The monitoring tools are still likely to receive unwanted traffic and suffer from a level of oversubscription.
Flow mapping technology solves this problem. This advanced filtering solution makes it possible to combine thousands of different rules in a logical order to achieve the desired packet distribution – which ensures each tool only sees the traffic it needs to, and nothing else. Such granular customisation overcomes tool port oversubscription when aggregating traffic from multiple network ports. For example, if two 100Gbps connections are sending traffic to a single 10Gb tool port, it is likely the tool port would, at some point, become oversubscribed, leading to dropped packets. Flow mapping allows network operators to remove the parts of the overall traffic stream that do
not interest the particular function of a specialised tool. Not only does this free up bandwidth and increase visibility, but it can also extend the life of monitoring tools as they are no longer required to process vast amounts of irrelevant data – leading to further financial savings.
In addition, using these multi-rule, pre-filters allows 10Gb traffic to be directed and mapped through 1Gb analysers. With each tool analysing a specific set of packets according to the specific filter rule – based on VLAN range, port number or IP subnet for instance – comprehensive monitoring at 10Gbps can be achieved, without the risk of oversubscription or packet loss. What’s more, since mapping filters are hardware based, latency is negligible and full line-rate performance is guaranteed.
Managing data centre infrastructure can be a difficult process at the best of times. When network speeds are upgraded it becomes even more complex and without the required visibility downtime is almost inevitable. Combining a network traffic visibility solution with Flow Mapping technology, allows operators to see exactly what is happening on the network at all times – from threats to performance issues – and maximise data centre performance, while lowering the total cost of management. With increased visibility, operators are able to see what they would otherwise miss, limit downtime to a minimum and ensure optimum performance.
1.
http://www.delloro.com/news/data-center-forecast-to-drive- ethernet-switch-revenue-growth-through-2016
May 2014 I
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