In the coming weeks, 10-Gigabit Ethernet solution developer SMC Networks (www.smc.com) plans to unveil a family of 10-Gbit network interface cards (NIC) that will incorporate Solarflare Communications’ (www.solarflare.com) PHY layer and controller silicon components, with a vision for speeding adoption of 10-Gbit Ethernet within the data center marketplace.
The first wave of integrated products is expected to include SMC 10GBase-T switches based on Solarflare’s 10Xpress PHY, optical server adapters based on Solarstorm controller silicon, and server adapters based on both Solarflare technologies.
Tony Stramandinoli, SMC Networks’ vice president of marketing, says the partnership with Solarflare makes “…ours the most comprehensive set of standards-based 10G networking products. This allows us to offer another alternative for 10 Gigabit, standards-based networking with a 10G Ethernet over copper (10GBase-T) product line that will make it possible for more companies to make the move to 10G in high-demand areas.”
Solarflare, a silicon vendor of Ethernet-focused products, claims to be the first company to demonstrate and sample to customers a 10GBase-T PHY reaching 100 meters over a Category 6A link.
“Working together, SMC and Solarflare will deliver the standards-compliant products necessary to drive the adoption of 10G Ethernet, not just at the physical layer, but all the way up the networking stack,” says Russell Stern, president and chief executive officer of Solarflare.
Stern adds that the partnership "will enable the adoption of cost-effective, low-power, and efficient 10GBase-T infrastructures this year."