Optics Solutions for NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S

With the growing business, more and more devices, applications and users are added to your network. If you still operate a slow and unreliable small operation network, you may find that your IT environment would become more difficult and expensive to manage and even become worse such as sluggish performance and outages. In this case, a stackable managed switch like NETGEAR ProSAFE M7300 Series may be an ideal choice for your network. In this post, NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S (M7300-24XF) and its optics solutions would be introduced.

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Overview of NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S

NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S is a 10G stackable managed switch which allows for a flexible top-of-rack (ToR) infrastructure. As the Figure 1 shown below, there are 24 SFP+ 10G ports which can support Gigabit/10 Gigabit capable and deliver wired speed performance with ultra low latency. In addition, there are 4 shared 10GBASE-T interfaces which can help broaden the 10G connectivity with auto-sensing RJ45.

Figure 1. The Port-Side View of XSM7224S

With superior performances such as superior resiliency, enterprise-class security and non-blocking performance, the XSM7224S can offer a full set of Layer 2 management features, as well as Layer 2+ with unsurpassed affordability. With the Layer 3 upgrade license, the XSM7224S with L3 scalability provides advanced routing protocols such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) and multicast for converged applications. Moreover, with the advanced hardware design, XSM7224S can be more compatible with data center environment. Together with VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) routing, voice-class prioritization, and chassis-like stacking, the XSM7224S can be deployed as a data center ToR switch, or closer to the core of small and medium businesses’ growing networks, as a distribution layer 10GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) aggregation switch.

Target Applications of NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S

As mentioned above, the XSM7224S can be deployed as ToR switch or as a distribution layer 10GbE aggregation switch close to the core of small/mid-sized networks. See Figure 2 and 3:

Figure 2. ToR Access Layer for Servers

In this configuration (Figure 2), two stacked XSM7224S switches per rack connect up to 21 servers/storage units in a server-to-switch distributed redundant trunking mode. The hardware-stacking dual-ring topology provides one unique CLI/GUI (Command Line Interface/Graphical User Interface) platform, simple management, network and servers/storage perfect resiliency, as well as intelligent load balancing. All servers can set up their NIC (Network Interface Card) with active-active teaming across the stack, allowing distributed LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) for better performance.

Figure 3. Core/Aggregation for Mid-sized Networks

In this configuration (Figure 3), 4 stacked XSM7224S switches authorize high performance distributed trunks and management is simplified. Each stack acts as a single routing switch, with only one CLI/GUI and multiple distributed link aggregations. Spanning Tree is no longer required for network resiliency. LACP provides intelligent load balancing across the network—from the edge to the core.

Optics Solutions for NETGEAR ProSAFE XSM7224S

Modules and optics belong to the physical layer of the network. For local stack topology, namely, switches are deployed in the same rack. There are two options can be used:

SFP+ DAC (Direct Attach Cables) and SFP+ ports

In a distant stack topology, fiber optic solution including SFP+ optics and fiber may be a better option as it can provide highest resiliency and intelligent load balancing.

FS.com can offer all the above modules and optics which are highly compatible with NETGEAR. For more optics solution details about NETGEAR switches, please contact sales@fs.com or visit our website./p>