High-Performance Networking for Data Centers
High-Performance Networking for Data Centers In modern data centers, the network is the highway that moves data between compute, storage, and users. High performance means low latency, predictable throughput, and minimal jitter under load. The goal is simple: data should arrive quickly where it is needed. To reach this goal, operators balance fast hardware with clear processes: smart switches, capable NICs, and well-defined traffic rules. Architectural choices matter. A common setup is a leaf-spine fabric with 100 or 400 Gb links. This design lowers bottlenecks and leaves headroom for growth. The underlay should be stable; the overlay handles east-west traffic. When planning capacity, include storage traffic, AI workloads, and backups, not only normal user requests. Plan for bursts with sufficient bandwidth and QoS for critical flows. ...