[AusNOG] Cheapest half decent 10Gbps switch (for iSCSI only)

[Paul Wilkins]

Assuming a single storage array, in a fast/reliable/cheap - pick 2
scenario, you'll get best bang/buck with the storage on 10gig uplinks, and
the servers on 1gig ports (ie. 1gig _uncontested_). The thing to bear in
mind is that iscsi hates dropped packets, and you don't want performance
falling off traffic peaks - hence, uncontested bandwidth gives best worst
case performance.

Hence - Cisco WS-C3650-24TS

Paul Wilkins

On 19 April 2015 at 15:59, Robert Hudson <hudrob at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi James,
>
> IMHO, you won't get good performance/reliability out of $2k switches for
> iSCSI - even if you can turn on jumbo frames (mandatory IMHO for iSCSI),
> the buffers won't be deep enough to cope with the load that iSCSI can place
> on switches, etc.
>
> Given that a client is involved, you also need to be confident that the
> switches won't give you a bad reputation.
>
> I've never been a fan of Dell switches.  I haven't played with their
> Force10 kit (because of the bitter taste that PowerConnect left in my
> mouth).
>
> I've used Cisco 3750 switches in the past for iSCSI and been
> disappointed.  Lately, I've taken to using Brocade ICX and VDX-series
> switches for iSCSI, and I've been very happy with them.  This has been
> across a range of storage (NetApp, Dell EqualLogic, Dell Compellent, HP
> 3PAR, Nimble Storage), they've all played nicely (to the point where at
> least one of those storage vendor asked for copies of my benchmark results
> due to the throughput they were seeing across my Brocade switches).
>
> You could probably go for a 24-port ICX6610 (or two) - they have 24-1Gbps
> ports, but also 8 x 10Gbps ports (plus stacking ports on the rear), can run
> dual PSUs, can even do PoE if required (if you want to converge data and
> storage networks, though I tend to keep anything that requires PoE away
> from my storage).  The ICX6450 switches have four 10Gbps ports each, but
> again I'd be concerned with using them for iSCSI given the specs.
>
> Alternatively, the VDX switches are great - I recently bought two 6740T
> switches which cost me less for both (along with warranty, 40Gbps port
> licenses and accessories such as QSFP to SFP+ cables) than the high-end of
> the price range you mentioned, and you get 48 x 10Gbps ports each (copper),
> but they are at that end of the range, not the $2k - $5k range you were
> hoping for.
>
> On 19 April 2015 at 12:47, James Cunningham <jjazza26 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Guys,
>>
>> Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this question, so apologies
>> in advance - but since most people here run high speed storage networks it
>> is probably relevant.
>>
>> Can I have some recommendations for low end, cost effective, 10Gbps
>> switches (for iSCSI use)?
>>
>> Only need around 8-10 ports per switch, and all the switches I'm looking
>> at from the likes of Cisco and Juniper are around $20k-$30k a switch -
>> seems pretty extreme really. I'm looking at deploying 2 x 10Gbps iSCSI
>> switches for a client for a small VMware project, and am looking for
>> suitable switches.
>>
>> Looking for suggestions for a half decent switch to use here - doesn't
>> have to be top of the line with heaps of features, just something very
>> basic, as long as it's 10Gbps and has at least 8 ports.
>>
>> Looking at the Netgear XS712T, these are around the $2k mark, which is in
>> the ballpark of what I need. Looked at the Netgear XSM7224 and DELL N4032,
>> but these are around the $5k mark per switch (but granted 24 ports with
>> dual power supplies)
>>
>> Suggestions anyone?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> James
>>
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>
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