Computer Networks 1: Data Center Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of Data Center topology?

Complete randomness with no optimization
Topology with specific properties for optimization (correct)
Random and constantly changing
No fixed topology

What is the purpose of a Top of the Rack (ToR) switch?

To connect multiple racks together
To provide a single point of failure for the rack
To connect the core layer to the access layer
To connect servers within a rack (correct)

What is a key component of Data Center hardware?

Network devices (switch, router, cables)
Storage systems
Power distribution systems
All of the above (correct)

What is a characteristic of Data Center networks compared to ISP networks?

More nodes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the system that distributes power to the devices in a Data Center?

Power distribution system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of Data Center infrastructure?

Network infrastructure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the system that regulates temperature in a Data Center?

Cooling system (A) Signup and view all the answers

How many nodes does Google's data center have?

12000 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of using a virtual data center over a physical one?

Flexibility and scalability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of hardware that can be virtualized in a virtual data center?

Servers and storage systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of virtual data center management compared to physical data center management?

Simplified management and decreased load on IT staff (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of deploying data storage and applications in a virtual data center?

Improved resiliency (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of transferring responsibility of physical data center management to a cloud vendor?

Focus on core business objectives without distraction (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically included in the infrastructure stack of a virtual data center?

A significant portion of the organization's infrastructure stack (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using a virtual data center compared to an on-prem data center?

Reduced overhead associated with maintaining a data center (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of resource that can be part of a virtual data center collection?

Virtual resources, e.g. servers, storage, and network devices (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a hypervisor?

To allow multiple VMs to run on a single physical server (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of virtual storage in a VDC?

Flexible allocation of storage resources and features like snapshotting and replication (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of virtual networking in a VDC?

To enable communication between VMs and external networks (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of a VDC's security infrastructure?

Virtual firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of management and orchestration tools in a VDC?

To manage and orchestrate the provisioning, configuration, and monitoring of VDC components (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using virtual machines in a VDC?

Efficient utilization of hardware resources through virtualization (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of virtual storage in a VDC?

Flexible allocation of storage resources and features like snapshotting and replication (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a virtual switch in a VDC?

To enable communication between VMs within the VDC and with external networks (D) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Data Center Basics

A data center can be a small room with a few servers or a large facility near customers or energy sources.
A data center consists of servers, storage, network devices, power distribution systems, and cooling systems.

Data Center Network

A data center network is a communications infrastructure that can be described by its topology, routing/switching equipment, and protocols.
Data center networks differ from ISP networks in terms of the number of nodes (thousands in data centers vs. hundreds in ISP backbones).

Data Center Network Topology

Conventional data center topology consists of three layers: access layer with Top of the Rack (ToR) switches, aggregation layer, and core layer.
Each rack in a data center typically has a ToR switch.

Virtualized Data Center

A virtualized data center has some or all hardware virtualized, including servers, storage, network devices, power distribution systems, and cooling systems.
Benefits of a virtual data center include:
- Flexibility and scalability
- Reduced overhead
- Simplified management
- Improved resiliency
- Business focus

Virtual Data Center Components

A virtual data center consists of virtual resources, including:
- Virtual machines (VMs)
- Virtual switches
- Virtual links
Virtual machines are software-based emulations of physical computers that run on a hypervisor.
Virtual networking enables communication between VMs and external networks, including virtual switches, routers, and load balancers.
Virtual storage provides a centralized, software-defined storage pool for VMs.
Hypervisor is the foundation of a VDC, allowing multiple VMs to run on a single physical server.
Management and orchestration tools control and automate the provisioning, configuration, and monitoring of VDC components.
Security components in a VDC include virtual firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and access control mechanisms.