Dell IT Proven: Networking Solutions for the Future-Ready Enterprise

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are” – J.P. Morgan

Stephen Stack• 20yrs IT infrastructure, development, open source software• Dell since 2013• Former Global Head of Networks (M&A, Global DC, WAN/LAN, E-Comm strategies)• Currently Lead strategist in EA, specializing in Cloud Strategy

Dell IT Proven: Networking Solutions for the Future-Ready Enterprise

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Agenda

Introduction The Network in Numbers & our history

Campus Why this is important, and how our users were impacted

Data Centre Nerve Center strategy and transformation

Road Map Business and industry drivers behind future state network

Wrap Up/Q&A Making the right decisions, and when (lessons learned)

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Introduction

Introduction Campus Data Center Roadmap

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Introduction

• Campus – WAN/LAN/ Wireless

• DC, DNS, e-Commerce• Cloud, B2B, extranet,• Manufacturing, DNS,

Internet, Load Balancing• Network Security

• 9 CCIEs• NOC, L2, various functional

teams, Architecture, tools & capacity teams

• Over 100 individuals directly supporting the global Network

• Jason Chan (Snr. Director)

• 600 routers• >100 Load Balancers• > 12,000 Network switches

• Including PC6248• Nseries, Sseries, Zseries Dell

Networking• Cisco Nexus and Catalyst

Networking in Numbers

Dell IT GNS Responsibilities Our Team is Made up of… Our Footprint

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IntroductionDell’s network was lacking standards; required more investment; the team was fractured; processes for change and governance were absent and there was no clear architectural roadmap/ get well plan.

What were our immediate concerns?• EOL Kit• Skilling up a large team• Quality Control/ Change Mgmt• Password Mgmt• Monitoring Standards• Documentation• Support Model

Result of our problems were…• Business downtime• Productivity loss• Employee dissatisfaction• Network Blame Game• Affect Dells bottom line

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Network strategies

Network Strategies

• Wireless Strategy • LAN Strategy • WAN Strategy• DNS/DHCP Strategy• WAN Optimization Strategy• Data Centre Networking

Strategy

Team Strategies

Team Development• Develop Load Balancing

Team processes and team• New Strategic Specialist

Roles (Internet Services, Call Center)

• Minimum CCNP certification for all Engineers

Training and Certification• Mandatory and free CCNP,

CCIE training across the board

• Mandatory Dell Networking training

• Mandatory F5 training• Wireshark Training Program

• Load Balancing Strategy• M&A Network Integration

Strategy• Tools Strategy• Standardization Strategy• Documentation/ Knowledge

Management

Innovation

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Strategy overview Dell Intelligent WANSDN WANHolistic, self-healing intelligent WANVendor Agnostic WANBroader telco engagement—reduce costsApplication AnalyticsUnderstand the costs and performance of applications on the WANApplication ControlImprove WAN performance for applications dynamically and intelligently

The VisionIP AddressingIPv6IPv6 readiness and implementationsDDIModernize DNS, DHCP, IPAM & IP Steering Committee

TacticalRed/BlueResolve and integrate Red/Blue networks. Define a process for future M&As from a Network POVStandardizationProgram to introduce standards to network design and configurations

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Campus

Introduction Campus Data Center Roadmap

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Dell IT legacy campus designThree layer network model

Catalyst 3750(E)

Dell PowerConnect6248P

• Reliant on legacy Cisco Topologies and Procurement

• EOL models up and down the stack

• Dependent on Spanning-Tree for LAN protection

• Poor convergence times at the WAN layer

• Lots of outrages due to legacy config & topology failures

Core

Cisco 7200/ ISR G1Juniper MX Series

Catalyst 6500, 3750

Distribution

Access

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Dell IT current campus designThree layer network model

Dell N3048P

Dell N3048P

Key Features

• Standards QoS Model• BFD BGP• DVD - Dell Validated Design• Collapsed L2• WAN Optimization• Internet Breakout• DMVPN

SMALL: 1 – 200MEDIUM: 200 – 1000MEDIUM to LARGE: 1000 – 4000LARGE CAMPUS: 4000+

Core

Cisco ASR/ ISR G3

Dell S3048/ C9000

Distribution

Access

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Number of different OS’s todayA total of 23 different OS’s running today across all three regions

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Dell image2

Dell 3.3.7.3

Dell 3.3.4.1

Dell 3.3.2.3

Dell 3.3.11.2

Dell 3.3.1.10

Dell 3.2.0.7

Dell 3.1.4.5

Dell 3.1.3.9

Dell 2.2.0.3

Dell 2.1.1.3

Dell 2.0.0.12

EMEA

APJ

AMER

ONMN automation

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Wireless topology and features• Introduce DVD• Robust Cert based security• Wireless Surveys

Survey Benefits1. Accurate RF Planning2. Rouge AP removal3. Blocksport and overlap resolution

Workspaces for tomorrow

IOT/connected everything

Enterprise mobile applications/BYOD

Robust security & visibility

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Campus network in summaryKey points

Develop and implement standards

Consistent code base

Investment and long term plans

Implement modern feature

set – well tested!Wireless needs

care and feeding

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Data Center

Introduction Campus Data Center Roadmap

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Data centre strategyS

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Fil

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Op

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Ha

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Repair/RemediateAnalyze/Assess Architect/Innovate

• Document issues and prioritize• Plan remediation and enact• Develop FSRA• Define innovation roadmap

• Monitoring gaps analysis• Operations Analysis

• Architect for 5 to 10yr growth, scale and agility. Foundation for SDN, cloud and modern DC technologies

DC Audit

DC Remediate

DC Edge and Internet Innovation

Platform Standardization and New Architectures (F5/ Wan Optimzation/ Tools)

EOL refresh

DC Core Network Rationalization

M u l t i Ye a r e f f o r t

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Remediate

Architect

Innovate

EoL/Clean up

OCS/HAC Redesign

Configuration Cleanup

New MGMT & DRACNetwork

HAC-A Upgrade

Data Centre Industry Standards

Spine Leaf Architecture

New Corp Edge

New Internet Edge

New Data Center Core

SDN Capable

Vision:Simplify, modernize, and make our DCs future ready

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Dell Internet Edge topology

• Overly complex• Complex routing domains• Aging• HW Capacity• Load balancing issues• 90 second convergence• Legacy feature set

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Dell Internet Edge topology

• Modern and simple• Dedicated BGP RRs• Simplified OSPF• Advanced BGP feature set• Sub-second failover• 6X Internet IPv4 table• IPv6 Tables• No downtime in migration

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Roadmap

Introduction Campus Data Center Roadmap

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Key Points

Lessons Learned• Trust but verify• Quality control is key• React quickly to process gaps• Train staff, and give them tools and checklists• Buy in is good, compliance is better• Knowledge Management• Technical Strategy• Business Support

Key Benefits• 75% reduction in outages• 9 CCIEs• $10s Millions invested• Complex Technical Strategies• Future Ready Network

People

ProcessTechnology

trainingtools

checklists

organize

accountable

Clear/ sustainable

Manage process gaps quickly

KnowledgeManagement

QualityControl

Technical Strategies

Project/ fund/

execute

Assess/Remediate/

Innovate

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Disruption Network Enabling

Internet, securityCapacity, global accessibility, life impacting

Internet, Security, SD-WAN

Collaboration, Development

Security, SDN, WAN

Security, SDN, WAN

01 IOTConnected everything, Autonomous vehicles

02 Cloud ComputingPublic, Private, hybrid and Containers

03 Artificial Intelligence, ML, AutomationRobotics, Big Data and ML, Automation, new skills

04 BlockchainFinance and Supply chain

05 AR, VRGaming, current and new industry

Disruption Network Enabling

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