Design for data center where you don't have to dedicate one switch per rack?

Question

Options

• ATop of rack
• BEnd of row
• CBlade Switch
• DMiddle of row

• A
  4% (2)
• B
  92% (46)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  2% (1)

Explanation

End of Row (EoR) is a data center cabling/switching topology where a single aggregation switch (or switch stack) is placed at the end of a row of server racks, and all servers in that row connect to it via longer copper or fiber runs. This contrasts with Top of Rack (ToR/A), where every individual rack has its own dedicated access switch. EoR reduces the total number of switches required because multiple racks share one switch, lowering CapEx and management overhead. The trade-off is longer cable runs from servers to the switch. Middle of Row (D) is a variation where the switch is in the middle of the row rather than the end, but End of Row is the canonical term for this non-dedicated-per-rack design pattern.

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