Enterprise network design considerations for Big Data

A recent Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) white paper examines the role of "big data" in the enterprise as it relates to network design considerations. The technical brief describes the rise of big data and the transition of traditional enterprise data models with the addition of crucial building blocks to handle the dramatic growth of data in the enterprise.

As cited by Cisco, according to IDC estimates, the size of the “digital universe” in 2011 will be 1.8 zettabytes (1.8 trillion gigabytes). With information growth exceeding Moore’s Law, the average enterprise will need to manage 50 times more information by the year 2020 while increasing IT staff by only 1.5 percent.

With this challenge in mind, the paper contends that integration of big data models into existing enterprise infrastructures is a critical element when considering the addition of new big data building blocks, while considering the efficiency, economics and privacy. The document also shows that the Cisco Nexus architectures are optimized to handle big data while providing integration into current enterprise infrastructures.

Specifically, in reviewing multiple data models, the document examines the effects of the Apache Hadoop protocol as a building block for big data and its effects on the network. Hadoop is an open source software platform for building reliable, scalable clusters in a scaled-out, “shared-nothing” design model for storing, processing, and analyzing enormous volumes of data at very high performance.

View/Download the white paper.