Understanding the interplay between Big Data and networks, including the Internet, is an important part of planning your approach to network architecture and network operations management.
Traffic Patterns
Network traffic patterns are going more horizontal.
Big Data is primarily processed in large batches and involves huge data transfers between server clusters within and often between data centers. This means that the classic north-south network traffic pattern stemming from client-server interactions is increasingly being altered by large east-west traffic patterns.
Big Data can create dramatically more demand on your network infrastructure. Make sure that you've factored Big Data flows into your network capacity plan. Understand how your switches and routers behave under more frequent traffic peaks and valleys, since those big traffic flows will come intermittently.
