Network switches and configuration

The IBM Fusion HCI is configured with a dual-network architecture, designed to optimize performance, management, resiliency, and redundancy.

The two physical networks are:
200GbE High-Speed network switches (Model S05)
  • Purpose: Storage cluster and application traffic.
  • Functionality: This network is dedicated to handling high-speed data transfer between the storage cluster and applications, ensuring optimal performance and low latency.
  • Connectivity: The high-speed network is built around a pair of 32-port, 200Gb Ethernet switches. The switches are configured together using MLAG to create a redundant pair. All of the compute-storage servers have a 2-port, 100Gb Ethernet adapter. One port on the adapter is connected to the first high-speed switch and the second port is connected to the second high-speed switch.
1GbE Management network switches (Model S04)
  • Purpose: Server management and health monitoring.
  • Functionality: This network is used for managing the servers, monitoring their health, and performing administrative tasks, ensuring the overall system's stability and security.
  • Connectivity: The management network is built around a pair of 48-port, 1Gb Ethernet switches. The BMC of each server and the management of switches run through this 1Gb management switch..