Data Center networks need to evolve to flatter Ethernet Fabric architectures to prevent performance bottlenecks as businesses adopt server virtualisation, according to a report from analysts Frost & Sullivan.

The report, commissioned by Brocade, says customers are ‘bracing themselves’ for the end goal of building a self-service private cloud, but that the infrastructure has not kept pace with this development.

"Data Center networks need to evolve to be more virtualised, flat, intelligent and automated,” the report reads.

"The network fabric must mirror the transformation in the computer architecture for organisations to fully realise the benefits of business agility, operational efficiencies and lower costs.”

With 67% of organisations adopting server virtualisation and 35% using cloud in one form or another, the time to make the change is now.

"Network optimisation, through usage of Ethernet fabric architecture, is an important step in ensuring that the network operates at peak efficiency. It creates a resilient and flexible network infrastructure that can seamlessly scale to support dynamic business needs and allows administrators to maintain agreed-upon service level agreements (SLAs).

"The transition to private cloud architectures will only succeed if organisations streamline and orchestrate technologies, processes and people.”

Go here to download the report, titled Think Flat With Ethernet Fabric.