,,11))22brief - · pdf file6/12/2002 · switched to different types of fiber media...

June 2002

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,,11))22Brief PowerConn ect™ 32481

Front view of PowerConnect 3248

Rear view of PowerConnect 3248

Key Points • The Dell PowerConnect 3248 is designed to address the connectivity

needs of medium to large organizations that require a high-performance, rack-dense switching solution with advanced management features.

• The PowerConnect 3248 is a high-performance switch delivering full wire-speed switching across all ports. The maximum switching capacity across 48 Fast Ethernet ports and 2 Gigabit Ethernet2 ports is 13.6 Gbps while the maximum forwarding rate is 10.1Mpps. The two built-in Copper Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000Base-T) can be switched to different types of fiber media by inserting optional small form-factor pluggable (SFP) modules in the SFP slots.

• The PowerConnect 3248 supports a variety of standards-based advanced switching features, including quality of service (QoS), multicast support, link aggregation, and dynamic VLAN configuration, allowing the network administrator to optimize traffic flow in the network.

• The PowerConnect 3248 can be managed via an industry-standard command line interface (CLI), its embedded Web server, third party

As highly-available, managed networks continue to grow, the need for interoperable, industry-standard network devices become even more important. Enterprise class switches must interoperate with existing network equipment and leverage established networking knowledge, such as CLI. Networking equipment should maximize currently deployed tools, such as SNMP-based software applications and provide the network administrator the ability to manage VLANs, prioritize traffic, and manage multicast traffic.

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SNMP-based management console applications, Telnet or serial connections.

• The PowerConnect 3248 provides a high level of availability through its optional redundant power supply. The redundant power supply provides power if the primary power supply fails.

Product Description

The PowerConnect 3248 is a 48 port Fast Ethernet switch that includes two Gigabit Ethernet2 ports in a rack-dense 1U form factor.

PowerConnect 3248 Versus Other 48+2 Fast Ethernet Switches Table 1 highlights the features of the PowerConnect 3248 versus its primary competitors. The key advantages of the PowerConnect 3248 are its built-in Copper Gigabit2 Ethernet ports and optional Fiber Gigabit Ethernet ports. Table 1 PowerConnect 3248 Feature Comparison to Competitive Systems Competitive data was obtained from competitors' websites on June 11, 2002. See respective websites for most current data.

Feature Dell PowerConnect 3248

3Com SuperStack 3 4300

Cisco Catalyst 2950G-48-EI

Foundry FastIron 4802

Total Switching Capacity

13.6 Gbps 17 Gbps 13.6 Gbps 34 Gbps

Maximum Forwarding Rate

10.1 Mpps 13 Mpps 10.1 Mpps 10.1 Mpps

Fast Ethernet Ports

48 10/100BaseT 48 10/100BaseT 48 10/100BaseT 48 10/100BaseT

Built-In Gigabit Ethernet2 Ports

2 Copper GbE ports (10/100/ 1000BaseT)

None

None None

Optional Gigabit Ethernet2 Ports

Using 2 optional SFP transceivers (disables Copper GbE port)

Using proprietary modules (up to 4 total ports)

Using 2 optional Gbics

Using 2 optional SFP transceivers

MAC Addresses Up to 8,000 Up to 8,000 Up to 8,000 Up to 8,000 Stacking No No Yes Yes 802.1Q VLAN Up to 256 Up to 30 Up to 250 Yes 802.1p Priority Yes Yes Yes Yes QoS 4 queues;

Weighted-Round Robin scheduling

2 queues; Strict Priority scheduling

4 queues; Weighted-Round Robin scheduling

2 queues; Weighted-Fair-Queing, Strict Priority scheduling

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Feature Dell PowerConnect 3248

3Com SuperStack 3 4300

Cisco Catalyst 2950G-48-EI

Foundry FastIron 4802

Link Aggregation (802.3ad)

Yes Yes (actual method not specified)

Yes (EtherChannel)

Yes

Multicast Support

IGMP snooping IGMP snooping IGMP snooping IGMP snooping

Spanning Tree Protocol

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Management Embedded Web Server, Serial & Telnet, SNMP & RMON, CLI

Embedded Web Server, Serial & Telnet, SNMP & RMON, CLI

Embedded Web Server, CLI, CiscoView, SNMP, RMON, CMS

Embedded Web Server, Serial & Telnet, SNMP, RMON, CLI

Remote Authentication

RADIUS BootP RADIUS, TACACS+

RADIUS, TACACS+

IP Address Management

BootP/DHCP BootP BootP/DHCP BootP/DHCP

Redundant Power Supply

Optional, RPS-600

Optional, RPS Module

Optional, RPS 300

Optional

Form Factor 1U, Rack mountable

1.5U, Rack mountable

1U, Rack mountable

1.5U, Rack mountable

Standard Warranty

Three-year Limited Warranty3 and three years of Next Business Day unit replacement4

Limited lifetime warranty

Limited lifetime warranty

One-year hardware, 90-day software

PowerConnect 3248 Versus PowerConnect 3048 Table 2 compares the PowerConnect 3248 to the PowerConnect 3048. The PowerConnect 3248 is the ideal switch for customers who need a rack-dense solution offering more comprehensive management features than the 3048. The 3248 is designed for customers who need industry-standard CLI capabilities, configuration file upload and download capabilities, L3/L4-aware capabilities, and GVRP. Additionally, the PowerConnect 3248 is for customers who need high uptime for their switches. The optional redundant power supply provides fail-over protection for the primary power supply. The PowerConnect 3048 is for customers who need a stackable, layer 2 switch but do not need the more advanced management functionality or the redundant power capabilities of the 3248. Table 2 Product Comparison of the PowerConnect 3248 and the PowerConnect 3048 Features PowerConnect 3248 PowerConnect 3048

Total Switching Capacity

13.6 Gbps 21.6 Gbps


10.1 Mpps 16.1 Mpps

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Features PowerConnect 3248 PowerConnect 3048

Forwarding Rate Fast Ethernet Ports 48 10/100Base-T 48 10/100Base-T Gigabit Ethernet Ports2

2 Copper GbE ports OR optional Fiber GbE via SFP transceivers

2 Copper GbE ports AND 2 SFP transceiver slots

Stacking Ports None 2 Gigabit stacking ports IGMP Snooping Yes Yes 802.1Q VLAN Up to 256 Up to 256 Link Aggregation (802.3ad)

Yes, LACP and manual Yes, Manual

GVRP Yes No 802.1p Yes, L3/L4-aware Yes, L2 Priority Queues 4 2 Broadcast Storm Control

Yes Yes

Remote Management Yes Yes RADIUS Support Yes No Dual Firmware Image Support

Yes No

Configuration File Management

File upload and download Manual configuration

Industry-standard CLI

Yes No


Optional, RPS-600 Optional, RPS-600

Form Factor 1U, rack mountable 1U, rack mountable

Target Markets/Applications

The PowerConnect 3248 is designed for customers who require high-performance connectivity to centralized resources like servers or high-speed network backbones. Also, the PowerConnect 3248 is ideal for customers with growing networks because of its support of Copper and fiber Gigabit Ethernet2 media.

• Cost-Effective Wiring Closet: Up to 48 clients can be connected to the 3248 at the wiring closet, while providing 2Gbps of shared bandwidth to the aggregation switch or core.

• High-Performance Workgroup: By connecting shared workgroup resources (e.g., a file server with Gigabit Ethernet connectivity) directly to the built-in Gigabit Ethernet port of the PowerConnect 3248, up to 10 Fast Ethernet PCs can access the shared resource simultaneously at a full 100 Mbps each.

• Traffic Aggregation to High-Speed Network Backbone: The PowerConnect 3248 can be connected to a Gigabit Ethernet backbone via its two Gigabit Ethernet ports. Specifically, the two Gigabit Ethernet ports can be combined in an uplink trunk with an aggregated bandwidth of two Gigabit as well as port redundancy.

June 2002

Features and Benefits

The features and benefits of the PowerConnect 3248 are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Features, Functions and Benefits of the PowerConnect 3248

Feature Function Benefit

Total Switching Capacity of 13.6 Gbps

Enables full wire-speed switching across all ports, including Gigabit Ethernet2 ports and stacking ports

Takes full advantage of the speed of the devices connected to the switch


Enables full wire-speed switching across all ports, including Gigabit Ethernet ports and stacking ports

Takes full advantage of the speed of the devices connected to the switch

Built-in Copper Gigabit Ethernet2 Ports

Provide 10-times higher bandwidth than Fast Ethernet ports

Help eliminate performance bottleneck at critical traffic aggregation points; use Gigabit Ethernet with standard Cat5 cabling

Optional Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Accommodate various types of Fiber interface modules (e.g., 1000SX, 1000LX; modules sold separately)

Flexibility to use fiber media if large distances have to be covered by the network

MAC Address Table of 8,000 Entries

Stores MAC addresses in internal memory

Provides lower-latency forwarding of data to MAC addresses which are stored in memory

VLAN Virtual LANs combine a number of ports into distinct, separated sub-networks

Allows for limitation of broadcast domains as well as improved security

Dynamic GVRP Allows for dynamic port-based VLAN configuration as per IEEE 802.1Q

Provides dynamic VLAN configurations and reduces administrative tasks associated with static VLANs

IEEE 802.1p Priority Utilizes separate transmission queues for low and high priority traffic

Helps ensure low-latency delivery of time critical network traffic, e.g., traffic associated with voice or video communication

Quality of Service (QoS)

Prioritizes traffic based upon user-defined criteria, including L2, L3 and L4 information

Helps ensure time-critical network traffic is delivered as per network administrator’s prioritization needs

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information prioritization needs

L3/L4-aware Prioritization

Prioritizes traffic based upon L3 and L4 information

Expedites traffic based upon L3/4 information, such as IP address, TCP or UDP ports, and provides greater control over traffic flow within the network

Link Aggregation (802.3ad)

Groups up to eight ports together into a single, high-bandwidth trunk utilizing LACP

Increases bandwidth for critical network links (e.g., uplinks to a network backbone) and creates link redundancy

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)

Provides automatic detection of trunked links

Provides simpler and more resilient trunking of network links

Multicast Support Detects ports that are participating in IP Multicast communication, e.g., multimedia streams

Limits broadcast traffic to those ports that are actually participating in the communication

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

Automatically configures ports for speed, duplex mode, flow control and cabling used

Helps reduce network set-up time

Broadcast Storm Control

Detects and proactively eliminates broadcast storms on a port

Helps eliminate undesired broadcast traffic which can flood a port

Management Enables remote configuration and monitoring of the switch via a Web-browser or a SNMP-based management console application

Allows a network administrator to detect and remedy problems at local and remote locations

Configuration File Management

Enables the uploading and downloading of configuration files

Provides the network administrator an easier and more expedient mechanism to configure a switch or multiple switches; administrator can leverage one switch configuration for multiple switches


Provides continuous power in the event the primary power supply fails

Increases system availability and reduces system down-time

Industry-standard Command Line Interface (CLI)

Provides command line interface for switch configuration

Leverages network administrator’s knowledge of industry-standard CLI and provides a common platform for switch configurations

June 2002


1U Form Factor Height of switch is limited to 1U

Saves rack space

Standard limited Warranty

Provides end-user unit replacement in the event of a failure

Provides next-business day replacement to improve network up-time4

Key Customer Benefits

• Support for standards-based advanced switching features as well as standards-based remote management The PowerConnect 3248 supports a variety of open standards to ensure flexibility in optimizing your overall network performance (e.g., IEEE 802.1p Class-of-Service or IGMP snooping), availability (port trunking) and security (VLAN). Also, Web browser-based switch management and SNMP-based management support a broad variety of management needs.

• Easy, cost effective transition to Gigabit Ethernet Due to the built-in Copper Gigabit Ethernet2 ports, the PowerConnect 3248 provides a cost effective way to significantly improve your network performance where Gigabit-enabled devices are implemented– no additional switch modules have to be purchased to enable Gigabit Ethernet performance.

• Ideal solution for customers with growing networks The PowerConnect 3248 provides a high-performance, rack-dense solution. The 1U form-factor allows you to grow your network while minimizing the amount of rack space required. When the network has to cover large distances, the PowerConnect 3248 can accommodate Fiber Gigabit Ethernet modules via its SFP slots.

• Redundant power supply for enhanced availability

The optional redundant power supply improves system uptime and reduces the potential for an inoperable switch.

Typical Implementations Diagram 1 Cost-Effective Wiring Closet Solution

June 2002

Wiring Closet 1

ISL 1 (Copper GbE)

ISL 3 (Copper GbE)

ISL 2 (Copper GbE)

Switch 1PowerConnect 3248




Aggregation SwitchPowerConnect 5224

Fiber/Copper GbE Uplink(Uplink A)

Fiber/Copper GbE Uplink(Uplink B)

Network Core

Wiring Closet 2 Wiring Closet 3

Diagram 1 is a cost-effective wiring closet solution designed using the PowerConnect 3248 and 5224. This solution provides fast Ethernet connectivity to clients and Gigabit Ethernet2 uplinks to the PowerConnect 5224. This solution provides both a scalable and reliable wiring closet solution.

The solution can easily scale by adding additional 3248s into the array and connecting them to the existing solution via another inter-switch link.

The solution is also reliable as it provides fail-over support. Redundant power supplies can be added to the PowerConnect 3248 and 5224 to decrease the potential for down-time due to a power supply failure. Also should one of the 3248s fail, the physical redundant uplinks and spanning tree protocol (STP) will provide fail-over so that only clients attached to the failed switch will lose connectivity.

When this configuration is initially setup, STP will automatically disable one of the inter-switch links (ISL) creating two uplink paths to the Aggregation Switch via Uplink A and Uplink B. Assume ISL 2 is disabled by STP. Now all of switch 2’s traffic needing to communicate with the Aggregation Switch will flow through switch 1’s GbE uplink (Uplink A). Also, all of switch 3’s traffic needing to communicate with the 5224 will flow through switch 4’s GbE uplink (Uplink B).

Assume Switch 1 fails. STP will automatically recognize the failure and redirect traffic from switch 2 through switch 4’s uplink (Uplink B). This provides a higher-level of availability than using redundant uplinks from Switch 1 because any failure of Switch 2 will eliminate all communications from Switches 3 and 4 to the Aggregation Switch.

Additional wiring closets can be similarly configured and are represented by Wiring Closets 2 and 3.

Typical implementation needs include:

June 2002

- Resilient wiring closet

- Cost effective wiring closet solution

- Limited cabling infrastructure

- Need to limit links to Aggregation Switch and consequently preserve GbE ports on the Aggregation Switch

Diagram 2 High-Performance Workgroup




Aggregation SwitchPowerConnect 5224

2Gbps Trunk(Trunk A)

2Gbps Trunk(Trunk B)

Network Core

2Gbps Trunk(Trunk C)

Diagram 2 is a cost-effective, high-performance wiring closet solution designed using the PowerConnect 3248 and 5224. This solution provides high-performance capabilities for a large number of users.

Switches 1, 2 and 3 are each capable of supporting 48 clients in this environment while providing 100Mbps bandwidth to each client. Each switch is connected to the Aggregation Switch via the two GbE ports, using either copper or fiber cabling. The two GbE ports can then be trunked together using the 802.3ad trunking capabilities of the PowerConnect switches. This will effectively yield a single 2Gbps connection to the Aggregation Switch.

Consequently, each workgroup of 48 clients will have 2Gbps of bandwidth to the Aggregation Switch, whereas in Diagram 1, up to 192 clients share 2Gbps to the aggregation switch.


- High-performance, moderately resilient wiring closet solution

Diagram 3 High-Availability Workgroup

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Wiring Closet 1

ISL 1 (Copper GbE)

ISL 3 (Copper GbE)

ISL 2 (Copper GbE)





Aggregation Switch 1PowerConnect 5224

Fiber/Copper GbE Uplink(Uplink A)

Fiber/Copper GbE Uplink(Uplink B)

Network Core

Wiring closet 2 Wiring closet 3

Aggregation Switch 2PowerConnect 5224

Diagram 3 is a high availability wiring closet solution designed using the PowerConnect 3248 and 5224. This solution provides high availability and fail-over protection for a large number of clients.

Just as in Diagram 1, Wiring Closets 1, 2 and 3 are designed as cost effective solutions. At the same time, a second layer of fail-over protection has been added by introducing a second Aggregation Switch. This protection provides resiliency in the unlikely event that one of the Aggregation Switches fail. We will assume that STP will disable ISL 2 when this design is implemented. This will allow both Switches 1 and 2 to communicate with Aggregation Switch 1 via Uplink A. Switches 3 and 4 will communicate with Aggregation Switch 2 via Uplink B.

Should one of the aggregation switches fail, STP will reconfigure the network to ensure traffic flow to the other aggregation switch. Assume Aggregation Switch 2 fails. STP will detect the failure and enable ISL 2 while disabling Uplink B. This will allow Switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 to communicate with Aggregation Switch 1 via Uplink A. This will allow continued flow across the network for the entire wiring closet.

Additional wiring closets can be similarly configured as represented by Wiring Closets 2 and 3.


- Resilient network to the core

- Resilient and cost effective wiring closet solution

* NOTE – Link costs may need to be manipulated to ensure the appropriate Gigabit Ethernet links are disabled.

June 2002

Service and Support

Dell PowerConnect switches come with the following:

• Three-year Limited Warranty3 and three years of Next Business Day unit replacement4

• Telephone support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the duration of the limited warranty

• 30-day “Getting Started” helpline for customers who purchase PowerConnect 3248

• Directline Plus network configuration support upgrades available

• On-site Labor Service upgrades (Next Business Day5 or Same Day6) available

• Four-hour response6 unit replacement upgrades available (5x10 and 7x24 options)

• On-site Installation Service upgrades (Standard and Advanced) available

Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography.

Dell, the Dell logo, and PowerConnect are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Printed in U. S. A.

©Copyright 2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell.

1 This device has not been approved by the Federal Communications Commission for use in a residential environment. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased for use in a residential environment until the approval of the FCC has been obtained.

2 This term indicates compliance with IEEE standard 802.3ab for Gigabit Ethernet, and does not connote actual operating speed of 1 Gb/sec. For high speed transmission, connection to a Gigabit Ethernet server and network infrastructure is required. 3 For a complete copy of our guarantees or limited warranties, please write to Dell USA L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas 78682. 4 Replacement unit will be dispatched if necessary following phone-based troubleshooting. To receive your unit the next business day, Dell must be able to dispatch the unit before 5 p.m. (depending on service contract) customer time. Availability varies.

5To receive next business day service, Dell must notify the service provider before 5:00 pm (depending on service contract) customer time. Availability varies.

6Service or replacement unit (depending on service contract) may be provided by third-party provider. Technician or replacement unit will be dispatched if necessary following phone-based troubleshooting. For 7x24 and 5x10 service, Dell will dispatch a service technician or replacement unit within 4 hours of determining the hardware problem. For 5x10 service, the service technician or replacement unit may not arrive until the following business day if

June 2002

dispatched after 4:00 pm local time. Available within a 125-mile radius of over 80 metropolitan areas. Customers not located within a 125-mile radius of the stocking locations are not eligible for this offering. Available in the U.S. only.

,,11))22brief - · pdf file6/12/2002 · switched to different types of fiber media...

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