Country
AustraliaIndustry
MiningNetwork Type
Enterprise Data CentersSolutions
Internet Data Center
Updated on 26 Feb 2025
DownloadHighlights
The MLAG architecture was implemented by deploying two N8560-32C core switches, which enhanced bandwidth and improved network reliability.
The integration of MTP multimode fiber components and Method B wiring scheme met various business needs while supporting future scalability.
Supported PFC/ECN for lossless transmission, enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency, and high-compatibility NVMe across devices in the data center network.
The PicOS® operating system enabled unified management from edge to core, optimizing the IT environment and accelerating service deployment.
AmpCon™ provided centralized management for PicOS® data center and campus switches, boosting network efficiency and reducing operational costs.
The complete N8560-32C switch datasheet and Ixia test reports were provided to validate the feasibility of the solution and reduce deployment risks.
Key Stats
The switches supported 10/25/40/50/100G multi-rate and could split into 4x10/25G or 2x50G.
The N8560-32C and S5870-48T6BC switches were compatible with existing modules and fibers, cutting costs by 30%.
Custom solutions helped customers upgrade from 10/40G to 25/100G, enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency networks.
The AU warehouse ensured 100% on-time delivery of key equipment like fiber jumpers, switches, and optical modules.
The remote support team responded within 12 hours and resolved 70%-80% of issues online.
Overview
The client was a medium-sized mining company based in Australia, specializing in mining software, geological modeling, data analysis, and digital transformation. They established a partnership with us in 2018. Recently, the client planned to upgrade their data center network to 25/100Gb. FS provided high-quality solution design services, helping the client achieve efficient and secure operations.
Challenges
The existing 1G switches and 10/40G architecture faced performance bottlenecks. These systems struggled to meet the growing demands for high bandwidth, big data analytics, and remote monitoring applications in the mining industry. All the equipment came from multiple vendors, creating compatibility and management challenges. The core switches also had limited port splitting and RDMA support, which hindered data flow between remote monitoring systems and automated equipment.
The customer wanted to upgrade to a 25/100G architecture with devices supporting RoCEv2 and NVMe-oF protocols. Additionally, the new equipment needed to ensure compatibility with the existing infrastructure for a seamless transition.
Solutions
The overall solution was designed based on an MLAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation) architecture. Two N8560-32C core switches were connected via MTP® trunk cables to form an MLAG pair. They were connected to four S5870-48T6BC access switches through 32 100GbE interfaces, enhancing link bandwidth and providing redundancy to ensure high network reliability and stability.
Each rack was equipped with one S5870-48T6BC switch, for a total of four racks. Each switch was connected to the core switches in the same way as the servers, primarily used for rack top and OOB (Out-of-Band ) management. These switches did not require full 100GbE uplink bandwidth at the time, but with future business growth, they had the potential to be expanded into switch pairs, further increasing network scalability and flexibility.
Both the S5870-48T6BC and N8560-32C switches were managed through AmpCon™, effectively addressing the customer's challenges with device compatibility and management complexity. With Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) technology, the devices were able to automatically come online and be configured, supporting remote bulk deployments. This significantly reduced deployment time and error risks, catering to the customer’s need for rapid response and expansion.
Results
With the support of FS PicOS® switches, NVMe-oF was deployed in conjunction with RoCEv2 to create a low-latency, high-throughput storage network. This solution met the mining industry’s demand for high bandwidth, big data analytics, and real-time remote monitoring, ensuring that the data center could quickly process massive amounts of data.
All switches were compatible with mainstream servers and storage devices, seamlessly integrating with the existing IT infrastructure, helping the customer successfully upgrade to a 25/100G architecture. During network expansion, no large-scale equipment replacement was required, resulting in a 30% reduction in operational costs.