Description
Overview of the Cisco N2K-C2224TP-1GE 24 Ports Expansion Module
In the realm of networking technology, the N2K-C2224TP-1GE Nexus 2000 Series emerges as a noteworthy player, specifically designed to meet the demands of contemporary networking environments. This comprehensive guide aims to elucidate the key features and functionalities of the N2K-C2224TP-1GE, focusing on its 24 Ports, 10 Gigabit Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+), and 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module. We’ll delve into the technical intricacies of this fabric extender, shedding light on its capabilities, applications, and how it contributes to enhancing network performance.
Understanding the N2K-C2224TP-1GE Nexus 2000 Series
The N2K-C2224TP-1GE belongs to the Nexus 2000 Series, a family of networking devices engineered to address the evolving needs of modern data centers. It stands out with its 24 Ports, and 10 Gigabit Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) configuration, underscoring its high-speed connectivity capabilities. Additionally, its 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module further enhances its adaptability to diverse network architectures.
Key Features24 Ports, 10 Gigabit SFP+
The inclusion of 24 ports equipped with 10 Gigabit SFP+ technology is a pivotal feature of the N2K-C2224TP-1GE. This facilitates high-speed data transfer, a crucial aspect in environments where bandwidth-intensive applications and large data transfers are the norm. Each Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) port ensures optimal performance and flexibility in catering to various network demands.
Fabric Extender Architecture
At the heart of the N2K-C2224TP-1GE is its fabric extender architecture. This design enables the seamless integration of the fabric extender into the existing network infrastructure, enhancing scalability and simplifying management. The fabric extender concept allows for the extension of the parent switch’s reach without compromising performance.
1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module
The presence of a 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module augments the device’s versatility. This expansion module opens up possibilities for integrating lower-speed devices and ensures compatibility with a spectrum of network configurations. It acts as a bridge between high-speed and lower-speed network components, fostering a cohesive and adaptable networking environment.
Applications and Use CasesData Centers
The N2K-C2224TP-1GE finds its prime application in data centers where the demand for high-speed, reliable connectivity is paramount. Its 24 Ports of 10 Gigabit SFP+ provide the necessary bandwidth for handling large volumes of data, making it an ideal choice for data-intensive applications and storage environments.
Enterprise Networks
In enterprise settings, where a balance between performance and scalability is crucial, the N2K-C2224TP-1GE proves to be an asset. Its fabric extender architecture allows for easy expansion, making it suitable for growing networks. The 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module ensures compatibility with various network components, offering flexibility in designing enterprise-grade networks.
Virtualized Environments
Virtualization is a prevalent trend in modern IT infrastructures. The N2K-C2224TP-1GE’s high-speed connectivity and fabric extender capabilities align with the requirements of virtualized environments. It facilitates seamless communication between virtual machines and ensures that the network infrastructure can support the dynamic nature of virtualization.
Technical SpecificationsPhysical Characteristics
The N2K-C2224TP-1GE boasts a compact form factor suitable for rack-mounted installations. Its dimensions and weight make it a space-efficient solution for data centers and network closets. The front panel, housing the 24 Ports of 10 Gigabit SFP+, is designed for easy access and visibility.
Connectivity
The 24 Ports of 10 Gigabit SFP+ are the backbone of the device’s connectivity capabilities. These ports support hot-swapping of SFP+ modules, allowing for flexibility in adapting to changing network requirements. The 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module adds an extra layer of versatility, accommodating devices with lower-speed connectivity needs.
Reliable Network Connectivity
Reliable network connectivity refers to the ability of a network to maintain stable and consistent communication between its devices, servers, and other resources. A reliable network provides uninterrupted connectivity, high performance, and minimal downtime.
In today’s digital world, network connectivity is a critical component of any organization’s operations, as it allows employees to access data, communicate with colleagues and customers, and perform various tasks related to their work. Any interruption in network connectivity can result in productivity loss, revenue loss, and damage to an organization’s reputation. Therefore, network reliability is essential for businesses to achieve their goals and objectives.
Several factors contribute to network reliability, including the design of the network, hardware components, software applications, security, and the support provided by the IT team. Here are some key elements of a reliable network:
- Redundancy: Redundancy refers to the use of backup components to ensure that if one component fails, the network can continue to function. For example, redundant power supplies, network switches, and servers can prevent a single point of failure from affecting the entire network.
- Scalability: A reliable network can easily adapt to changing requirements, such as increasing traffic volume or adding new devices or applications. A scalable network design can handle growth without compromising performance or stability.
- Quality of Service (QoS): QoS is a set of techniques that prioritize certain types of traffic over others to ensure that critical traffic, such as voice and video, receives adequate bandwidth and latency. QoS can help prevent network congestion and ensure that important applications always have access to the necessary resources.
- Security: A reliable network must have adequate security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus software, and other security protocols.
- Monitoring and Management: A reliable network requires ongoing monitoring and management to detect and resolve issues before they affect network performance. Network administrators must have access to real-time data, alerts, and analytics to quickly identify and respond to network issues.
Optimize Your Network Performance
Optimizing network performance is a critical task for businesses to ensure that their network infrastructure is functioning efficiently and providing reliable and fast connectivity. Here are some key steps to optimize your network performance:
- Evaluate Your Network Infrastructure: The first step in optimizing network performance is to evaluate your current network infrastructure. This includes assessing the hardware and software components, network topology, bandwidth requirements, security protocols, and other factors that affect network performance. A thorough evaluation can help identify any weaknesses or bottlenecks that may be causing performance issues.
- Implement Quality of Service (QoS): QoS is a set of techniques that prioritize certain types of traffic over others to ensure that critical traffic, such as voice and video, receive adequate bandwidth and latency. By implementing QoS policies, you can prevent network congestion and ensure that important applications always have access to the necessary resources.
- Upgrade Your Network Hardware: If your network hardware is outdated or not capable of handling your current traffic volume, upgrading your network hardware can significantly improve network performance. This includes upgrading switches, routers, firewalls, and other network components to support faster data transfer rates and more bandwidth.
- Optimize Network Traffic: Network traffic optimization involves reducing unnecessary traffic and streamlining the flow of data across the network. This can include optimizing protocols, caching frequently accessed data, and compressing data packets to reduce bandwidth usage.
- Implement Network Monitoring and Management Tools: Network monitoring and management tools provide real-time data, alerts, and analytics that can help network administrators quickly identify and respond to network issues. This can include tools for monitoring network performance, identifying security threats, and managing network configurations.
- Secure Your Network: A secure network is essential for maintaining network performance and protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or cyber threats. Implementing security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and antivirus software can help prevent security breaches and maintain network performance.
- Regularly Update and Maintain Your Network: Regularly updating and maintaining your network is essential to ensure that it continues to function efficiently and securely. This includes applying software patches, updating firmware and drivers, performing regular backups, and conducting regular network audits to identify and address any issues.
Advanced Management Features
Advanced management features refer to the capabilities of network management systems that provide a more comprehensive and flexible way to manage network resources. These features are designed to simplify network administration, increase visibility and control, and improve network performance.
Here are some examples of advanced management features:
- Network Automation: Automation is a key feature that enables administrators to automate routine tasks such as provisioning, configuration, and monitoring. By automating these tasks, administrators can save time, reduce errors, and improve overall network efficiency.
- Virtualization: Virtualization allows administrators to create multiple virtual network environments on a single physical network. This can help reduce hardware costs and increase flexibility and scalability.
- Traffic Analysis: Traffic analysis provides administrators with detailed insights into network traffic patterns and helps them identify performance issues, security threats, and other potential problems. This can help administrators optimize network performance and improve security.
- Policy-Based Management: Policy-based management allows administrators to define policies that govern how network resources are used. These policies can be used to enforce security policies, QoS policies, and other policies that ensure network resources are used efficiently.
- Centralized Management: Centralized management provides administrators with a single interface to manage network resources across multiple devices and locations. This can help reduce management complexity and improve efficiency.
- Role-Based Access Control: Role-based access control (RBAC) allows administrators to define user roles and permissions that control access to network resources. This can help improve security by ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive network resources.
- Performance Monitoring: Performance monitoring provides administrators with real-time visibility into network performance metrics such as bandwidth usage, latency, and packet loss. This can help administrators identify performance issues and take corrective action before they affect network performance.
- Cloud Integration: Cloud integration enables administrators to manage network resources across public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. This can help improve flexibility and scalability and reduce management complexity.
General Information for the Cisco 24 + 10 Gigabit SFP+ Fabric Extender
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# N2K-C2224TP-1GE
- Product Line Nexus
- Product Series; 2000
- Product Name: Nexus 2000 Series 1GE Fabric Extender
- Product Type: Fabric Extender
Networking Details of 1 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Module
- Ports: Gigabit Ethernet x 24 + 10 Gigabit SFP+ x 2
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Cabling Type: Ethernet 100Base-TX, Ethernet 1000Base-T
- Data Link Protocol: Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
- Auxiliary Ports: 2 x SFP+ (uplink)
- Network / Transport Protocol: TCP/IP, UDP/IP, ICMP/IP
- Remote Management Protocol: SNMP 1, SNMP 2, RMON, SNMP 3
- Status Indicators: Port status, power, system
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots: 2 (total) / 2 (free) x SFP+
- Interfaces: 24 x 1000Base-T – RJ-45
Power
- Power Device: Power supply – hot-plug / redundant – plug-in module
- Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
- Power Consumption Operational: 95 Watt
Miscellaneous
- Compliant: CISPR 22 Class A, BSMI CNS 13438 Class A, CISPR 24, EN 61000-3-2, VCCI Class A ITE, EN 61000-3-3, EN55024, EN55022 Class A, EN50082-1, EN 61000-6-1, AS/NZS 60950-1, ICES-003 Class A, RoHS, FCC CFR47 Part 15, UL 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, EN 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1, EN 300 386
- IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1x, IEEE 802.3ae
In summary, the N2K-C2224TP-1GE Nexus 2000 Series switch is a versatile networking solution that offers high performance, scalability, and flexibility. With its 24 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet, two Fabric Extender ports, and 1 Gigabit Ethernet expansion module, it is suitable for a wide range of applications, from data centers to high-performance computing environments. By providing fast and reliable connectivity, this switch helps organizations optimize their network infrastructure and meet the demands of modern networking requirements.
