The Cisco SFS 3001 enables IT managers to build cost-effective 10-Gbps server clusters for distributed databases and high-performance computing. Setting it apart from other entry-level InfiniBand only switches, the Cisco SFS 3001 can be easily expanded from its 12-port base configuration by inserting, into its built-in expansion slot, an optional module that supports an additional two 2-Gbps Fiber Channel ports or six Gigabit Ethernet ports.With 12 InfiniBand ports in the Cisco SFS 3001, and the ability to easily cascade multiple switches, IT managers can deploy clusters today and protect their initial investments with the flexibility to upgrade over time. The expansion module allows database and high-performance compute clusters to scale higher and faster without major or costly upgrades.The Cisco SFS 3001 creates a single 10-Gbps fabric for interprocess communications, storage, and networking. With just one 10-Gbps adapter, administrators can create virtual IP and storage interfaces in every server, offering a full 10 Gbps of peak load-balanced bandwidth per port for mission-critical applications. Resources can be managed on one switched fabric, eliminating the need to install and manage multiple Ethernet, Fiber Channel, and interprocess communication (IPC) cards.The Cisco SFS 3001 meets high-availability requirements with redundant, hot-pluggable power and cooling. The optional expansion module is also hot pluggable. Multiple Cisco SFS 3001s can also be deployed in redundant pairs to prevent single points of failure at the system level.Using the embedded subnet manager, the Cisco SFS 3001 can be deployed on the network within minutes. And with Cisco's Transparent Topology Architecture, no changes are necessary to existing SAN and IP management tools. Configuration and maintenance are simplified with a full-featured graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line interface (CLI) using serial console, Telnet, or Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol, enabling remote monitoring, upgrades, and troubleshooting. The Cisco SFS 3001 can be managed using the Cisco SFS management suite or with existing management systems that use standard protocols such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).