At the Interop Las Vegas tradeshow (May 8-12) Extreme Networks (NASDAQ: EXTR) unveiled new 10-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) copper modules for its BlackDiamond X8 core switch, as well as new copper versions of its Summit X670 top-of-rack fixed data center switches.
The Summit X670 switch will support 48 ports of wire-speed 10-GbE copper RJ45 connections with 40-GbE uplink capabilities, and is expected to begin shipping this calendar year. The BlackDiamond X8 copper blade will also support 48 ports of wire-speed 10 GbE copper RJ45 connectivity, with 384 total ports inside the chassis. The new high density copper switches are optimized for servers based on the Intel Xeon Processor E5 Family and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) LAN on motherboard (LOM) devices.
"Intel and Extreme Networks believe 10GBase-T copper switches will be a driver for cloud and data center upgrades because of their simplicity, backwards compatibility with one Gigabit switches, and low-cost copper cabling," comments Steve Schultz, director of marketing, Intel LAN Access Division. "The new 10GBASE-T products from Extreme Networks will serve as an excellent complement to our new 10GBASE-T controller, the Intel Ethernet Controller X540."
Wide adoption of 10GbE servers is also important because it is expected to drive a new wave of 40GbE network upgrades for next generation data centers over time, notes Extreme.
"Rip-and-replace is the last option for most data center operators -- investment protection is critical," concludes Huy Nguyen, senior director of product management at Extreme Networks. "Data center operators are always looking for ways to reuse cabling infrastructure when upgrading their networks to 10-GbE. The new BlackDiamond X8 blade and Summit X670 copper switch allow data center customers to deploy the most cost-effective 10-GbE options using standard RJ45 copper jacks."
More information is available here.
See also:Are you ready for 40 and 100G?