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www.brocade.comDATA SHEETBROCADEVDX 6720DATA CENTERSWITCHDATA CENTERHIGHLIGHTS Offers high-performance 10 GigabitEthernet (GbE) data center LAN portsin a fixed port switch configuration Provides industry-leading performanceand ultra-low latency through wire-speedports with 600 nanosecond port-to-portlatency and hardware-based Inter-SwitchLink (ISL) trunking Simplifies network architectures andenables cloud computing by deliveringBrocade VCS Fabric technology Provides Ethernet storage connectivityfor Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE),iSCSI, and NAS Simplifies virtualization servermanagement by providing VirtualMachine (VM) mobility with dynamicserver profile configurationThe Brocade One strategy helpssimplify networking infrastructuresthrough innovative technologies andsolutions. Brocade VDX 6720 DataCenter Switches support this strategyby simplifying network architecturewhile increasing network performanceand resiliency with Ethernet fabrics.Revolutionizing the WayData Center Networks Are BuiltSeeking better ways to build clouds andvirtualized data centers, today’s ITorganizations are turning to high-performancenetworking solutions that increase flexibilitythrough leading-edge technologies. TheBrocade VDX 6720 Data Center Switch isa high-performance 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE)fixed port switch with LAN ports that supportsthe most demanding business applications.It is specifically designed to improve networkutilization, maximize application availability,increase scalability, and dramaticallysimplify network architecture in virtualizeddata centers. With a rich set of Layer 2features, the Brocade VDX 6720 is an idealplatform for traditional Top-of-Rack (ToR)switch deployments.Brocade VCS Fabric technology enablesorganizations to build data center Ethernetfabrics—revolutionizing the design of Layer 2networks and providing an intelligentfoundation for cloud-optimized data centers(see Figure 1). The Brocade VDX 6720 canbe easily deployed in VCS fabric mode withan add-on software license.The Brocade VDX 6720 is available in twomodels—the 2U Brocade VDX 6720-60 with60 10 GbE LAN ports, and the 1U BrocadeVDX 6720-24 with 24 10 GbE LAN ports.Both models provide Ethernet storageconnectivity for Fibre Channel over Ethernet(FCoE), iSCSI, and NAS.

COMPREHENSIVE LAYER 2 LANCAPABILITIES FOR CLASSIC ToRSERVER DEPLOYMENTSThe Brocade VDX 6720 supports a rich setof traditional Layer 2 Ethernet protocols andfeatures, including: Comprehensive Layer 2 LAN capabilities:Supports protocols such as LinkAggregation Control Protocol (LACP)and 802.1Q. The Brocade VDX 6720 isalso ready for IPv4/IPv6 Layer 3 routingcapabilities, which can be implemented ina future Brocade Network OS release. High-bandwidth efficiency across trunks:Maximizes performance with hardwarebased ISL trunking and wire-speed portswith ultra-low port-to-port latency. Lowest power consumption: Featuressuperior size and the industry’s lowestpower consumption—imperative in today’sdata centers. Scale-out solution for virtualized datacenters: Enables dynamic, large-scaleserver virtualization deployments inprivate (IT customers within an enterprise)and public (external customers ofmanaged service providers) clouds withproven scalability capabilities and Layer 2Equal Cost Multi-Path (ECMP). Local switching: Delivers high performancefor intra-rack traffic in virtualizedenvironments, providing ultra-low latencyof 600 nanoseconds for the same ASICon the switch. This helps organizationsdesign a network with no oversubscriptionfor deterministic network performanceand improved application response times,making the Brocade VDX 6720 ideal forperformance-demanding environments.AN INTELLIGENT FOUNDATIONFOR CLOUD COMPUTINGBrocade VCS Fabric technology is an innovativetechnology that enables organizations tobuild high-performance cloud-optimizeddata centers while preserving existingnetwork designs and cabling, and gainingactive-active server connections. Forscale-out fabric architectures, Brocade VCSFabric technology allows organizations toflatten network designs, provide VirtualMachine (VM) mobility without networkreconfiguration, and manage the entirefabric more efficiently. Learn more aboutBrocade VCS Fabric technology atwww.brocade.com/vcs.ETHERNET STORAGE CONNECTIVITYThe Brocade VDX 6720 connects toFCoE, iSCSI, and NAS storage. The FCoEfeature can be turned on with an add-onsoftware license.Server and Storage VirtualizationAutomation SupportBrocade VCS Fabric technology offersunique features to support virtualizedserver and storage environments. During aVM migration, network switch ports must bedynamically configured to ensure that theVM traffic experiences consistent policiesand configurations (see Figure 2). TheBrocade Automatic Migration of Port Profiles(AMPP) feature enables a seamlessmigration. Port profiles and MAC addressmapping are created on any switch in thefabric. This mapping provides the logicalflow for traffic from the source port to thedestination port. As a VM migrates, thedestination port in the fabric learns of theMAC move and automatically activates theport profile configuration.Brocade VM-aware network automationprovides secure connectivity and full visibilityto virtualized server resources with dynamiclearning and activation of port profiles. Bycommunicating directly with VMwarevCenter, it eliminates manual configurationof port profiles and supports VM mobilityacross VCS fabrics within a data center. Inaddition to providing protection against VMMAC spoofing, AMPP and VM-aware networkautomation enable organizations to fullyalign virtual server and network infrastructureresources, and realize the full benefits ofserver virtualization.Proactive MonitoringBrocade Fabric Watch is an innovativeswitch health monitoring feature availableon the Brocade VDX 6720. Fabric Watchmonitors the health of certain switchcomponents and, based on the thresholdset, declares each component as marginalor down.BROCADE GLOBAL SERVICESBrocade Global Services has the expertiseto help organizations build scalable,efficient cloud infrastructures. Leveraging15 years of expertise in storage, networking,and virtualization, Brocade Global Servicesdelivers world-class professional services,technical support, and education services,enabling organizations to maximize theirBrocade investments, accelerate newtechnology deployments, and optimize theperformance of networking infrastructures.CLOUD-OPTIMIZED NETWORKACQUISITIONBrocade helps organizations easily addresstheir information technology requirementsby offering flexible network acquisition andsupport alternatives to meet their financialneeds. Organizations can select frompurchase, lease, and Brocade NetworkSubscription options to align networkacquisition with their unique capitalrequirements and risk profiles.MAXIMIZING INVESTMENTSTo help optimize technology investments,Brocade and its partners offer completesolutions that include professional services,technical support, and education. For moreinformation, contact a Brocade salespartner or visit www.brocade.com.

Classic Hierarchical Ethernet ArchitectureEthernet Fabric ArchitectureWHAT IS AN ETHERNET FABRIC?EdgeAggregationCoreCoreCompared to classic hierarchical Ethernetarchitectures, Ethernet fabrics providehigher levels of performance, utilization,availability, and simplicity. They aredesigned to be:AccessScalability Flexible: Can be architected in anytopology to best meet the needsof any variety of workloadsServers with 10 Gbps ConnectionsServers with 10 Gbps Connections Flatter: Eliminates the need forSpanning Tree Protocol (STP), whilebeing completely interoperable withexisting Ethernet networks Resilient: Uses multiple “least cost”paths for high performance andhigh reliabilityFigure 1.Compared to classic Ethernet architectures, Ethernet fabrics allow all paths to be activeand provide greater scalability—while reducing management complexity. Elastic: Scales easily up and downas neededMore advanced Ethernet fabricsborrow further from Fibre Channelfabric constructs:REMOTEDATA CENTERPRIMARYDATA CENTERPublicNetworkVMCoreroutersVMVMVCS fabricextensionLayer 4–7application deliveryVCS fabricextensionVMNativeFibre ChannelSecurity services(firewall, ASstorageDedicated FibreChannel SAN forTier 1 applicationsRack-mountserversFigure 2.Brocade VCS Fabric technology simplifies the network architecture, enables unified storageconnectivity, improves VM mobility, and allows the seamless insertion of services. They are self-forming and functionas a single logical entity, in which allswitches automatically know abouteach other and all connected physicaland logical devices. Management can then be domainbased rather than device-based, anddefined by policy rather than repetitiveprocedures. These features, along withvirtualization-specific enhancements,make it easier to explicitly addressthe challenges of VM automationwithin the network, thereby facilitatingbetter IT automation.Protocol convergence, such as FibreChannel over Ethernet (FCoE), may alsobe a feature, intended as a means ofbetter bridging LAN and Storage AreaNetwork (SAN) traffic.Learn more about Ethernet fabrics atwww.brocade.com/ethernet-fabric.

BROCADE VDX 6720 FEATURE OVERVIEWBrocade VDX 6720-24Brocade VDX 6720-60Switching bandwidth (data rate, full duplex)480 Gbps1200 GbpsPort-to-port latency600 nanoseconds within 10-port group600 nanoseconds within 10-port groupForm factor1U2UDimensions and weightWidth: 42.88 cm (16.88 in.)Width: 42.88 cm (16.88 in.)Height: 4.32 cm (1.70 in.)Height: 8.89 cm (3.50 in.)Depth: 38.10 cm (15.00 in.)Depth: 43.18 cm (17.00 in.)Weight: 7.30 kg (16.10 lb)Weight: 15.88 kg (35.00 lb)1/10 GbE SFP ports2460Ports on Demand (PoD) increments16, 2440, 50, 60Power suppliesTwo hot-swappable, load-sharingTwo hot-swappable, load-sharingCooling fansN 1 redundant, integrated into power suppliesN 1 redundant, three hot-swappable fan units