Data growth is a given. New applications, analytics workloads, and AI models can spike demand overnight. Traditional storage network designs, especially rigid three-tier architectures, often can’t keep up. They introduce bottlenecks, make scaling complex, and can require disruptive overhauls.
Leaf-spine architectures change the equation. They provide a predictable, high-performance foundation for Ethernet-based storage networking and scale cleanly as needs evolve.
Where Legacy 3-Tier Designs Fall Short
Traffic Bottlenecks: Multiple aggregation points slow east-west storage traffic.
Scaling Disruption: Adding capacity often requires core redesigns and downtime.
Wasted Links: Spanning Tree blocks redundant paths, leaving bandwidth unused.
Why Leaf-Spine Works for Storage
Consistent Latency: Any endpoint is only two hops from any other.
Simple Expansion: Add leaf switches for more ports, spine switches for more bandwidth, without touching the core.
All Links Active: ECMP balances traffic and provides resilience.
Technical Factors to Keep in View
Protocol Fit: NVMe/TCP, NVMe/RoCE, and iSCSI each have different sensitivities to latency and pathing.
Congestion Control: PFC and ECN keep storage traffic lossless under heavy load.
Switch Buffers: Enough headroom to handle microbursts from storage workloads.
Vendor Interoperability: Ensure smooth integration with your storage platforms.
Our Approach
We design Ethernet storage fabrics that grow without rewiring the foundation. Our focus is on architecture that meets performance, resiliency, and operational goals, and that integrates cleanly with your broader hybrid cloud and data center strategy.
