Written by Robert Hartman
Does this sound familiar? New user growth or business objective requires a new switch install. Whether the installation is a wiring closet or a rack, enter the traditional upgrade cycle: plan and budget ahead for what is needed; purchase; alert your users that the network will undergo maintenance for hours, a weekend, or longer; power down and pull out the old equipment; install new equipment; power up the network and… hope everything works.
What if this upgrade could be done simply and with more efficiency?
Most customers want networks to be simple to: install, configure, operate and maintain. Simplifying the first two should improve deployment speed and reduce network downtime. Automating any of them can bring new level of efficiencies to your network. Ultimately, with faster installation and fewer headaches, the business is up-and-running faster and productivity is back up to optimum operation.
How can Dell help? The Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series switch family brings a number of new deployment efficiencies to drastically reduce time, effort and resource while scaling your network quickly. These new innovations can reduce the time from out-of-box unpacking to full operation to a matter of minutes or hours, significantly shaving off hours or even days from traditional installs. Here are some of the key innovations in the 8100 Series:
Install it quickly: With new Tool-less Enterprise ReadyRails™ mounting kits, PowerConnect 8100 switches utilize snap-in rails, which can install in seconds, drastically reducing install time while improving durability and sturdiness within the rack.
Deploy it quickly: With USB Rapid Deployment, one switch or stacks of PowerConnect 8100 switches can be configured in moment by rapidly deploying the switches without setting up complex TFTP configurations or sending technical staff to remote offices. Firmware upgrades are also a breeze.
Connect it quickly: With iSCSI Auto-Configuration, plug into an iSCSI array for instant SAN networking. The PCT8100 is fully integrated with Dell EqualLogic™ iSCSI arrays, with an Auto-Configuration function to optimize switch setup for iSCSI traffic and then automatically prioritize iSCSI traffic for high class of service.
Manage it quickly: With Dell OpenManage Network Manager, discover, configure and manage multiple switch stacks instantly with full traffic and performance monitoring. Quickly manage a PowerConnect 8100 switch or any other Dell PowerConnect and Dell Force10 switch added to the network with one management tool.
Now, automated deployment can maximize/accelerate productivity across the campus and business network, giving you a more predictable and efficient approach to growth. The PowerConnect 8100 enables a new level of automation and simplification for Campus Networks.
For more information about Dell PowerConnect 8100 switch series please visit www.dell.com/networking and continue the conversation on twitter by following @DellNetworking.