Session 1: Market and Technology Trends

Jag Bolaria, senior analyst at The Linley Group, presented an overview of market, technology, equipment-design, and silicon trends for designers of enterprise and data-center networking equipment.

Session 2: Advanced Processors for Data-Center Applications

This session featured processors that integrate hardware acceleration for L4-7 processing and will describe specific applications for these chips.

Virtualization and Multiprocessing Strategies for Next-Generation Data Centers
   Richard Schnur, Solutions Architect, Freescale

In a data center, multicore processors with virtualization can improve CAPEX, OPEX, and scalability. This presentation addressed the multicore and single-core SoC features needed to support next-generation data-center needs. Topics covered in depth included core, interconnect, I/O, and accelerator considerations.

Virtualization and On-Chip Networks - Scalable Solutions for Data-Center Servers and Network Appliances
   Mike Benson, Senior VP of Engineering, Netronome

On-chip networks deliver a new architecture for scalable, high-bandwidth, programmable data planes that span L2-L7 for carrier-grade and enterprise-class networking products, as well as virtualized networked servers and appliances. Using on-chip networks, NICs can offer any combination of services without host-CPU intervention. This presentation described the architecture of silicon-based on-chip networks and typical application scenarios in high-performance network security appliances.

Data Security in the Next-Generation Data Center - Server and Storage Virtualization Changing the Security Landscape
   Russell Dietz, VP and CTO, Hifn

Data security requirements are evolving to address the changes and convergence taking place in the next-generation data center. The changes are being driven by new technologies such as server and storage virtualization, along with service-oriented architectures (SOA), utilizing “cloud-based” services in a Software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, and delivering applications over WANs/Internet to laptops, desktops, phones, and other mobile devices.  All of these new technologies “break” the past trust models and boundaries that were based on physical security, creating totally new security challenges. These new technologies are driving a wave of new security solutions — delivered in layers of security. This presentation reviewed the impact of these new technologies and showed how MACsec, NAC/NAP, IPsec and other application security protocols, will be used to maintain trust in the next-generation data center.

Session 3: Data-Center Switch Design

This session focused on the design of 10G Ethernet switching equipment using merchant chips.

Ethernet Switch Solutions for Next-Generation Data Centers
   Gary Smith, Business Development Manager, Fujitsu Microelectronics America

Increasing performance, server consolidation, greater storage, and virtualization are driving demand for 10GbE in the data center. The IEEE is enhancing specifications for Ethernet to meet the new requirements of data centers and to enable converged fabrics. To augment the capabilities of Ethernet in these applications, this presentation will discuss data-center Ethernet requirements and protocols and how Fujitsu's newest 10GbE switch chips address these requirements.

Packet-Buffering Requirements in Data-Center Switches
   Ofer Iny, CTO, Dune Networks

In Ethernet data-center switches, packet buffering can have a critical impact on the throughput and fairness of the network. In fact, the right amount of packet buffering can make the difference between a working and stable TCP network and one that fails. This presentation discussed how buffering requirements may be derived from the basic nature of TCP traffic. It also showed some simulation results that confirm the conclusions.

Programmable Ethernet Switching
   Thomas Eklund, VP Business Development, Xelerated

This presentation introduced the audience to programmable Ethernet switching. It discussed what it is, why it's needed, what problems it solves, and how it can enable next-generation data-center designs. Xelerated has embedded its deterministic dataflow processor cores in its new HX310 series of Ethernet switches to deliver design flexibility, feature flexibility, high service availability and application awareness at a very high performance and integration level to deliver scalable low-cost Ethernet switch solutions.

Session 4: New Interconnect Technologies for the Data Center

This session examined new high-speed interconnect technologies and their application in data-center networks and equipment.

10Gbps SFP+ and 10GBASE-KR: Answering Data-Center Challenges
   Subhash Roy, CTO Transport Products, AMCC

Data-center requirements include higher speeds between servers, higher speeds within servers/blade servers, power density, 10G/100G connectivity, and interoperability. This presentation highlighted those requirements, the driving factors, and applications. It will then describe how AMCC's 10Gbps PHY portfolio addresses these requirements from 10GBASE-SFP+ to 10GBASE-KR and 10GBASE-SR to LRM.

Active Optical Cables: Low-Power Solutions for High-Speed Server Connectivity in the Data Center
   Jan Meise, Director, Business Development, Finisar

While greater than 90% of today's servers are still connected through 1GbE pipes, the need for larger I/O bandwidth due to multi-core and server virtualization is creating a challenge for next-generation data centers. As copper cables are starting to become an impediment for server connectivity, active optical cables, such as Finisar's Laserwire, have begun to emerge as a new means of connecting data center elements. This presentation gave an overview of this new type of connectivity for various high speed protocols in the data center.

Session 5: The Future of Data-Center Networks

This panel discussed the technologies and silicon that are driving the future of data-center networks as well as the challenges facing equipment designers.

Moderator:  Jag Bolaria, The Linley Group
Panelists:    Subhash Roy, AMCC; Mike Benson, Netronome; Ofer Iny, Dune;
                       Thomas Eklund, Xelerated; Russell Dietz, Hifn.

The seminar was intended for network-equipment vendors, server OEMs, system designers, network service providers, enterprise-network managers, software developers, press, and the financial community.

Information collected for this event will be shared with the sponsors paying for this seminar. This information will not be shared with companies other than the sponsors of this event.

Further questions?   Contact The Linley Group:
Phone: 1.800.413.2881 (toll free in US) or 1.408.281.1947 or email: customer service