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Multi-Tier Fabrics: Network Designs for the Modern Data Center - BRKDCN-2999#

Cisco Live Europe 2025 (Amsterdam) digest Program Core pick Amsterdam · 9–14 February 2025

Abstract

Speakers: Marina Ferreira (Cisco)

  • Why: Topology and cost-engineering of DC fabrics (fat-tree/Clos, super-spine, 400G/800G economics, fixed vs. modular) is core physical-DC design knowledge, and this session covers the modern tier-expansion beyond classic leaf/spine.
  • What: A tour of DC fabric topologies — fat-tree, Clos, leaf/spine — extended to super-spine layers and hyperscale-plane designs, plus practical guidance on cost-effective 400G/800G adoption and where fixed versus modular switches make sense. (from abstract only)
  • How: Builds up from fat-tree/Clos math to multi-tier (super-spine / planar) architectures that scale past single-fabric limits, and frames the fixed-vs-modular and 40G→400G/800G speed decisions as cost-per-port and cabling/practicality trade-offs.
  • Where applicable: General DC topology design, vendor-neutral in principle; expect Cisco port-count/pricing examples. The opening is introductory (definitions of Clos), but the super-spine and 400G/800G economics material is substantive for anyone planning a fabric refresh.