There are trends of high density 10GbE connectivity in the data center that are increasing the needs for some to use 40GbE interfaces for uplink connectivity.  Because 40GbE requires a new type of optic, called a QSFP+, I’ve had many questions from customers and myself regarding the connectivity and cabling options.  Oddly enough,  it took talking to at least 5 Cisco Engineers that span San Jose to NYC to compile this data, so if you’ve like to correct or add anything here, please feel free to comment below.  

The specific questions and research I was doing was related to the Cisco Nexus 3000 series switches, namely the 3064 and 3016.  I state that because there is the chance that the QSFP+ could operate differently if using different switch types – and that’s per the TME of optic.  For those new to the Nexus 3000 series, the 3064 has 48 front facing ports of SFP+ (1G/10G) and 4 x 40GbE QSFP+ that could be used as uplinks.  The 3016 has 16 40GbE QSFP+ ports.   

First, I’ll say in advance that this post probably won’t be one of my best…if the flow seems off, it is because it was pieced together over the past few weeks from various email and general conversations I’ve had regarding SDN.  The main theme here is Think Different (well, I think Steve Jobs said it first).

Private/Public/Hybrid cloud is seemingly where 99% of the focus is when it pertains to OpenFlow and Software Defined Networking (SDN) in any article/blog/etc.  Personally, I think the industry (at this point it’s just consultants, vendors, and a FEW SDN users) need to think outside the box.  As much evangelizing as is going on right now, it’s still the same few that are probably reading into it over and over…that’ my perception anyway.  Network Operators still aren’t familiar with these concepts from a high level and it is the average IT organization that can possibly really benefit from SDN.  Dimitri said it best – mid-market is forgotten about to a large extent.  100% agree with him and this is where I spend much of my time consulting, so I see it all the time!