Extended Core-Edge Topology - Cisco MDS 9000 series Configuration Manual

Chapter 3 Deployment Considerations
Supported Topologies
S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m
Figure 3-3 Collapsed Core Topology
Site-1 Site-2

Extended Core-Edge Topology

Figure 3-4 illustrates the extended core-edge topology where you are recommended to place the IOA
interfaces (MSM-18/4 Module or SSN-16 Module) in all the core switches. As the IOA service load
balances the traffic by selecting any IOA interface from each site and forms the IOA interface pair for a
given flow, certain failures may result in sub-optimal routing. The recommendation is to interconnect
the core switches within each site for maximum availability of IOA service. The ISLs between the core
switches in the specific site has as much throughput as the WAN ISLs between the sites.
Cisco MDS 9000 Family I/O Accelerator Configuration Guide
3-4
OL-20708-01, Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 5.0(1a)