Lenovo ThinkSystem NE0152T Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Introduction
The Lenovo ThinkSystem NE0152T RackSwitch is a 1U rack-mount Gigabit Ethernet switch with 10 GbE uplinks that delivers line-rate performance with feature-rich design that supports virtualization, high availability, and enterprise class Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality in a cloud management environment.
The NE0152T RackSwitch has 48x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet fixed ports and 4x SFP+ ports that support 1 GbE and 10 GbE optical transceivers, active optical cables (AOCs), and direct attach copper (DAC) cables. Featuring a small, 1U footprint, this switch is designed for management network and access-layer deployments in data center infrastructures.
Key features
The NE0152T RackSwitch is considered particularly suited for the following environments:
- Network connectivity for 1 GbE access layer deployments and management networks in data center infrastructures.
- 1 GbE server connectivity with additional 10 GbE SFP+ ports for server, storage, or switch connections.
- Cloud and virtualization solutions with VM-aware network automation and integration into Lenovo and third-party IT and cloud infrastructure management tools.
- Applications demanding improved 1 GbE performance while maintaining high levels of availability and security.
The NE0152T RackSwitch offers the following features and benefits:
- High performance
The 1/10 GbE NE0152T RackSwitch provides a combination of low latency and non-blocking, line-rate switching.
- Lower power and better cooling
The front-to-rear or rear-to-front cooling design of the NE0152T RackSwitch reduces data center air conditioning costs by having airflow match the servers in the rack cabinet. In addition, variable speed fans help reduce power consumption.
- Layer 3 functionality
The NE0152T RackSwitch includes Layer 3 functionality, which provides security and performance benefits, as inter-VLAN traffic stays within the switch. This switch also provides the full range of Layer 3 protocols from static routes for technologies, such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) for enterprise customers.
- Fault tolerance
The NE0152T RackSwitch offers redundant hot-swap hardware components, learns alternate routes automatically, and performs faster convergence if there is a link, switch, or power failure.
- Seamless interoperability
The NE0152T RackSwitch performs seamlessly with other vendors' upstream switches.
- Automated VM-aware network provisioning
The Lenovo CNOS Network Policy Agent, a ThinkAgile Network Orchestrator feature, gives increased visibility of the VMware vSphere virtual infrastructure, including VM and virtual network information. It provides automated VM-aware provisioning by automatically configuring VLANs in the physical network based on the auto-discovered virtual network topology. The agent also performs ongoing dynamic updates to the physical network configuration in response to new VMs, updated VMs, and deleted VMs and virtual networks, eliminating errors with manual configuration.
- Zero Touch Provisioning
Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) enables a switch to automatically provision itself using the resources available on the network, without manual intervention. ZTP automatically handles the process of upgrading the switch software image and installing configuration files.
- Python Scripting
Network administrators can create and execute local Python scripts on switches to make small programs that allow a switch to automatically provision itself, perform fault monitoring, upgrade the image files, or auto-generate configuration files. Administrators can also implement version control systems, automatically generate alerts, create custom logging tools, and automate the management of network devices.
- REST API Programming
The Lenovo REpresentational State Transfer (REST) Application Program Interface (API) enables network administrators to remotely configure and manage a Lenovo switch using REST and HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It also allows switch management integration into management applications, such as Lenovo XClarity.
- Open Network Install Environment (ONIE)
The NE0152T RackSwitch provides an open install environment for networking devices without operating systems. ONIE enables a network switch ecosystem for end users to choose among different Network Operating Systems by discovering NOS installer images and loading them onto the switch.