IBM G8264T, G8264 Product Manual

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 1

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IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T

IBM Redbooks Product Guide

IBM System Networking now offers the IBM RackSwitch G8264 (leveraging SFP+ technology) and the

IBM RackSwitch G8264T (leveraging 10Gbase-T technology). Both are 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet
(GbE) switches specifically designed for the data center, and are ideal for today's big data, cloud and

optimized workload solutions. They are enterprise class Layer 2 and layer 3 full featured switches that
deliver line-rate, high-bandwidth switching, filtering, and traffic queuing without delaying data. Large
data-center grade buffers help keep traffic moving, while the redundant power and fans along with
numerous high availability features help provide high availability for business sensitive traffic.

The RackSwitch G8264, shown in Figure 1, is ideal for latency sensitive applications such as high
performance computing clusters and financial applications. In addition to the 10GbE and 40GbE
connections, the G8264 also has the capability for legacy 1GbE connections. The G8264 supports the
newest protocols including Data Center Bridging/Converged Enhanced Ethernet (DCB/CEE) for
support of Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) in addition to ISCSI and NAS.

The G8264 is also designed to support IBM Virtual Fabric, which helps clients significantly reduce cost
and complexity related to I/O requirements of many virtualization deployments. Virtual Fabric helps
you reduce the number of multiple I/O adapters to a single dual-port 10 G adapter, and also to reduce
the number of cables and required upstream switch ports. Virtual Fabric allows you to carve a
dual-port 10 G server adapter into 8 virtual NICs (vNICs) and to create dedicated virtual pipes
between the adapter and the switch for optimal performance., higher availability, and improved
security. Using Virtual Fabric IT can make dynamic changes and allocate bandwidth per vNIC,
making it possible to adjust over time without downtime.

Figure 1. IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264

The G8264T is part of a comprehensive 10GBase-T IBM solution that includes servers, storage and
networking and that provides improved virtualization, better management, and smarter connectivity
options for next generation data centers. Flexible connectivity across distances up to 100m at a low
cost makes the G8264T an optimal choice for connecting high-speed server and storage devices.

Figure 2. IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264T

Did you know

Did you know that:

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 2

The RackSwitch G8264 is designed to support a number of types of configurations: 1 Gb, 10 Gb,

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and 40 Gb, Virtual NIC, Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE/DCB), and iSCSI.

The RackSwitch G8264 with SFP+ technology is the ideal solution for clients looking for low



latency and low power consumption.

The RackSwitch G8264 is designed to support Data Center Bridging (DCB), the IEEE’s group of

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protocols that provide lossless Ethernet and allow clients to reduce the costs of implementing
either:

NAS or iSCSI convergence and priority-based flow control



FCoE by aggregating switch ports before connecting to more costly upstream Fibre Channel



gateway devices.

IBM is a leader in network virtualization, offering the on-switch IBM VMready® software that

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reduces the complexity of managing virtual machines (VMs) in the network.

The G8264 plays a vital role with IBM Virtual Fabric which reduces costs and complexity in



environments where four or more NICs are needed per server. A perfect example is virtualization,
where clients often need as many as eight NICs per server.

The G8264T offers 48 10Gbase-T connections allowing for cost effective CAT6/6A cables of



distances up to 100m.

Part number information

Table 1 lists the part numbers for ordering IBM System x® and IBM Power Systems™ modules and
additional options.

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 3

Table 1. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering (part 1)

Description System x part number Power Systems

MTM/FC

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264
(Rear-to-Front)

7309G64 1455-64C

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264
(Front-to-Rear)

730964F

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264T
(Rear-to-Front)

730CR9

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264T
(Front-to-Rear)

730CF9

1 Gb options (supported only on G 8264)

IBM SFP RJ45 Transceiver 81Y1618 EB29

IBM SFP SX Transceiver 81Y1622 EB2A

IBM SFP LX Transceiver 90Y9424

0.6 m Blue Cat5e Cable 40K5679

1.5 m Blue Cat5e Cable 40K8785

3 m Blue Cat5e Cable 40K5581

10 m Blue Cat5e Cable 40K8927

25 m Blue Cat5e Cable 40K8930

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 4

Table 1. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering (part 2)

Description IBM System x part number Power Systems MTM/FC

10 Gb options (supported only on
G8264)

IBM SFP+ SR Transceiver 46C3447 EB28

IBM SFP+ LR Transceiver 90Y9412

IBM SFP+ ER Transceiver

90Y9415

1m LC-LC Fiber Cable



(networking) - Optical

88Y6851

5m LC-LC Fiber Cable



(networking) - Optical

88Y6854

25m LC-LC Fiber Cable



(networking) - Optical

88Y6857

1 m IBM Passive DAC SFP+ Cable 90Y9427

3 m IBM Passive DAC SFP+ Cable 90Y9430

5 m IBM Passive DAC SFP+ Cable 90Y9433

8.5 m IBM Passive DAC SFP+
Cable

90Y9436

IBM Twinax Direct Attach Cable
(DAC) 1m

45W2398 (8-pack: 45W2401*)

IBM Twinax Direct Attach Cable
(DAC) 3m

45W2408 (8-pack: 45W2409*)

IBM Twinax Direct Attach Cable
(DAC) 5m

45W3039 (8-pack: 45W3042*)

1m 10GbE Cable SFP+ Active
Twinax

ENO1

3m 10GbE Cable SFP+ Active
Twinax

EN02

5m 10GbE Cable SFP+ Active
Twinax

EN03

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 5

Table 1. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering (part 3)

40 Gb options (Supported on G8264 &

G8264T)

(Supported on G8264 only)

IBM QSFP+ SR Transceiver 49Y7884 EB27

10 m IBM QSFP+ MTP Optical



Cable

90Y3519

30 m IBM QSPF+ MTP Optical



Cable

90Y3521

1 m IBM QSFP+ DAC Break Out
Cable

49Y7886 EB24

3 m IBM QSFP+ DAC Break Out
Cable

49Y7887 EB25

5 m IBM QSFP+ DAC Break Out
Cable

49Y7888 EB26

1 m IBM QSFP+-to-QSFP+ Cable 49Y7890

3 m IBM QSFP+-to-QSFP+ Cable 49Y7891

5 m IBM QSFP+-to-QSFP+ Cable 00D5810

7 m IBM QSFP+-to-QSFP+ Cable 00D4813

IBM System Networking RackSwitch G8264/G8264T 6

Table 1. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering (part 4)

Miscellaneous options

IBM 19" Flexible 4 Post Rail Kit 49Y4284

Front-to-rear, hot-swappable power
supply spare (G8264 only)

49Y7938

Rear-to-front, not swappable power
supply spare (G8264 only)

49Y7937

Front-to-rear, hot-swappable
750WCFF power supply spare
(G8264T only)

00D5857

Rear-to-front, hot swappable
750WCFF power supply spare
(G8264T only)

00D5858

Front-to-rear, hot swappable fan
assembly spare (both G8264 and
G8264T)

49Y7939

Rear-to-front, hot swappable fan
assembly spare (both G8264 and
G8264T)

88Y6026

* Products are ordered through IBM Storage and Power ordering systems.
Note: Transceivers are not included in the purchase of the switch and all require using the appropriate
cables.

With the flexibility of the IBM switch, you can take advantage of the technologies required for multiple
environments, such as the following (shown in Figure 3):

For 1 Gb links, on the G8264 specifically, you can use SFP transceivers plus LC-to-LC fiber

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cables.

For 10 Gb, you can use the following:



•

10GBase-T allows CAT6 or CAT6A cables for cost effective long distances.

•

SFP+ transceivers (SR, LR, or ER) plus LC-to-LC fiber cables for longer distances.

For 40 Gb links, you can use QSFP to QSFP cables up to 7m, or QSFP transceivers and MTP

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cables for longer distances.