The 3-Tier Platform Data Protection backup system uses either the 3-Tier Platform top-of-rack or a dedicated pair of network switches for backup traffic. 

Dell Technologies recommends using the 3 Tier platform top- of-rack switches unless there are not enough available ports to support the backup system. In that scenario, allocate a dedicated pair of switches for the backup system.

With dedicated network switches for the backup system, the 3-Tier Platform network is extended into the backup system network by means of uplinks, allowing only backup traffic and management traffic to pass. Dell Technologies recommends the use of Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX network switches for dedicated data protection backup.

Dell Technologies recommends that out of band management traffic, specifically iDRAC for PowerProtect Data Domain, connects into the 3 Tier Platform management platform network switches.   

Note: Connect in-band band management interfaces to either the 3 Tier Platform top-of-rack or the dedicated data protection backup network switches. 

Use the following table to determine the number of ports required for OOB management on the management platform network switches and in-band management or backup data on the 3 Tier platform or dedicated data protection switches.

Table 94.  Ports requirement for OOP or in-bound management interfaces

The following figure shows the 3 Tier Platform data protection backup network connectivity without dedicated network switches:

 Breakout connectivity may be required for 10/25 GbE connections if you are using the recommended top-of-rack network switch for the 3 Tier Platform. See the Network Layer chapter in this guide for more information.

Note: A PowerProtect Data Domain HA system will have a similar network topology, but it will include a secondary controller, which adds an equal number of network connections, as shown in the diagram.

Figure 18.    3-Tier Platform data protection backup without dedicated switches

The following figure shows the 3-Tier Platform data protection backup network connectivity with dedicated network switches.

Note: A PowerProtect Data Domain HA system has a similar network topology, but includes a secondary controller, which adds an equal number of network connections to those shown in the diagram.

Figure 19.    3-Tier Platform data protection backup with dedicated switches

Dell Technologies recommends the VLANs for 3 Tier Platform data protection backup:

Table 95.  Recommended VLANs for 3 Tier Platform data protection backup