Foundry Networks announces a complete suite of
standards-based 10-gigabit ethernet products High performance solutions for
LAN, MAN and WAN
May 16, 2001 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Foundry Networks(r), a performance
and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, has announced a
family of 10 Gigabit (10 Gbps) Ethernet modules for the Enterprise, Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN) service provider, and Internet Service Provider (ISP)
markets.
Designed to enhance and extend the power, performance, capacity, and ease of use
of the BigIron( Layer 3 switch, these new 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules enable
network infrastructure expansion by magnifying the overall speed, efficiency,
and potency of the world's most widely understood and deployed networking
technology.
The 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules are compatible with all Foundry BigIron
chassis-based products allowing existing customers, to migrate to the new 10
Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet technology cost-effectively with minimum
disruption to their existing networks.
The BigIron switch, introduced in 1997 was the first ASIC-based modular device
to announce support for 10 Gbps Ethernet without requiring a chassis swap-out or
forklift upgrade. Foundry's unique 10 Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet module
architecture extends support of the advanced switching and routing feature sets
offered on all of Foundry's Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet
modules to 10 Gigabit per second (Gbps) of packet forwarding throughput. These
functions include Dynamic VLANs based on port, protocol, and subnet; IronClad
QoS with the ability to prioritise traffic based on a multitude of
customer-definable policies; full and robust IP and multicast support; extensive
security through wire-speed Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Extended ACLs; and
up to 15 Million packets per second (Mpps) wire-speed performance per 10 Gigabit
Ethernet ports while supporting all the existing IEEE 802.3 and 802.3ae
standards.
The Ultimate Flexibility for 802.3ae Standard-based Optics Employing
field-upgradeable and replaceable 10 Gigabit Ethernet optics makes Foundry's 10
Gigabit Ethernet solution the industry's most flexible accommodation, which
assures full compliancy with the emerging 10 Gigabit Ethernet physical medium
dependant (PMD) optical specifications as defined by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3ae 10 Gigabit Ethernet Working Group.
By employing this unique modular architecture, Foundry's 10 Gigabit Ethernet
products will have the ability to support a new modification made to 10 Gigabit
Ethernet, not supported by the lower speed versions of Ethernet.
The first is the inclusion of a long haul (40 Km) optical transceiver PMD for
single mode fibre that can be used with either a LAN or WAN physical (PHY)
standard, applicable for building MANs. The second is the WAN PHY option, which
enables 10 Gigabit Ethernet to be transported, transparently, across existing
OC-192c/SDH SONET infrastructures.
Pricing and Availability
Foundry's B10Gx, single port 10 Gbps Ethernet base module will be available
starting in mid-July, priced at GBP38,025 / USD61,090.
Optical inserts will be available starting in mid-July: 850-nanometer Serial
optical insert is GBP3,800/ USD6,105.
1310-nanometer WWDM optical insert is GBP8,445 / USD13,570.
1310-nanometer Serial optical insert is GBP12,670 / USD20,355.
1550-nanometer Serial optical insert is GBP33,785 / USD54,290.
10 Gigabit Ethernet Applications for High Bandwidth Enterprise, Metro, and ISP
Networks Foundry will offer a full range of field-installable and replaceable 10
Gigabit Ethernet optics (PMDs) to accommodate configurations across a wide
variety of networking infrastructures.
Foundry's 850-nanometer Wide Wave Divisional Multiplexing (WWDM) optical
interface will support links up to 65 meters on multimode fibre. This low-cost,
short range optic would normally be used to provide connectivity between core
BigIron Layer 3 switches inside the data center as well as very short riser
connections to high performance and high density wiring closets.
Foundry's 1310-nanometer WWDM optical interface will support links up to 300
meters and 10 Km on multimode and single mode fibre, respectively. Multimode
fibre connections would normally be used in enterprise networks to provide 10
Gigabit Ethernet riser connections to high-performance work groups within a
building (intra-building) or to provide interconnectivity between multiple
ultra-high capacity core BigIron Layer 3 switches inside a data center. Service
providers can use 10 Gigabit Ethernet links to provide higher levels of
aggregation bandwidth services between distribution switches and NetIron(
Internet edge or core routers. Depending upon the physical distance between the
enterprise buildings, campuses, or service provider facilities, single mode
fibre might be required to span links beyond 300 meters.
The 1310 CWDM optic provides a dual role and is a key Foundry advantage because
it accommodates both multimode and single mode fibre. This Foundry offering
reduces the number of individual components deployed within an infrastructure
comprised of both cable plant types, thereby providing a higher return on
investment. Foundry's 1310-nanometer Serial optical interface will also support
single mode fibre links up to 10 Km. Network administrators would use these
interfaces to provide connectivity between campus buildings (inter-building).
Foundry's 1550-nanometer Serial optical interface will support single mode fibre
links up to 40 Km and serve as the foundation for connectivity between data
centers built for next generation Metro and Application Service Provider (ASP)
infrastructures. Foundry's 10 Gigabit Ethernet enables these businesses to
create ultra high-speed links at a very low cost between co-located,
carrier-class NetIron Internet routers and BigIron Layer 3 switches.
This technology allows for the construction of MANs and Wide Area Networks
(WANs) that connect geographically dispersed LANs as well as provide Inter-Metro
POP to Metro-POP connectivity. This interface, built to International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) grid spec, is DWDM long haul ready and requires
no optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversion.
Foundry's WAN PHY optical interfaces will support 10 Gigabit Ethernet transport
across SONET/SDH infrastructures and decrease the overall cost of constructing
and building networks that already have substantial amounts of SONET/SDH
equipment installed.
"With these 10 Gigabit Ethernet products, Foundry advances its position as the
performance leader with next generation Ethernet technology, offering a complete
line of interface options that span from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps Ethernet.
Combined with our Internet routers, Layer 3 Gigabit backbone switches, Layer 2/3
wiring closet switches, and Layer 4 - 7 Web switches, we have a very powerful
and compelling solution for the construction of next generation,
high-performance networking infrastructures," said Bobby Johnson, President and
CEO of Foundry Networks.
"Add to that the ease by which you can install and interchange these modules and
optical interfaces, without requiring a chassis or forklift upgrade, and Foundry
provides a comprehensive technology advantage unmatched by the competition
today."
About Foundry Networks
Foundry Networks, Inc. is a performance and total solutions leader for
end-to-end switching and routing including Internet routers, Layer 2/3 LAN
switches, and Layer 4-7 web switches with Internet traffic and content
management.
Foundry's 3,300+ customers include the world's premier ISPs and enterprises,
portals, search engines, e-commerce sites, and universities along with the
leading entertainment, pharmaceutical, government, financial, and manufacturing
companies. Some of these customers include: AOL, MSN, The London Internet
Exchange (LINX), Milan Internet Exchange (MIX), Amsterdam Internet Exchange, The
Dutch German Internet Exchange (NDIX), KPNQwest, The University of Mainz, Cable
& Wireless, Telewest, Yahoo!, LucasFilm and NASA. Headquartered in San Jose,
CA., the company has offices throughout Europe including The Benelux, England,
France, Germany and Italy. Foundry recently opened offices in Dubai to serve the
Middle Eastern region. For more information about the company and its products,
call +44 1344 398900 or visit www.foundrynetworks.com This press release
contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by
this section. These forward looking statements include statements regarding
planned products or product features (Products) that are under development, such
as MPLS. While Foundry is planning for the commercial availability of such
Products, they are still under development and subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, which could delay the planned availability.
Actual results may differ materially due to these and other factors. The matters
discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described
from time to time in Foundry's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In particular, see the Risk Factors described in Foundry's final
Prospectus dated September 27, 1999 for its initial public offering as well as
its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Foundry assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information
contained in this press release.
CONTACT: Katharine Hardwick/Simon Francis, Johnson King PR Tel: +44 (0)207 357
7799 e-mail: katharineh@johnsonking.co.uk e-mail: simonf@johnsonking.co.uk
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