Jay, I reviewed the website 'www.gigabit-ethernet.' One important question that has been resolved in my mind by this source is just how upward-compatible gig-ethernet happens to be.
In particular, the success of 100MB Ethernet is attributed to the fact EXISTING cabling can be used going from 10MB to 100MB. Likewise, this appears to be the case going from 100MB to 1000MB! In other words, you don't have to install new wires and/or fiber-optic cabling all over the place. Corporations strongly want to avoid re-wiring or fiber cabling.
At the same time, there appears to also be a migration path for FDDI networking (a smaller market) to transition to fiber-based Gig-Ether.
Thus it would appear that *although* MRVC is ahead of the pack with their fiber-optic transceivers, MRVC is positioning itself for customers who wish to upgrade to Fast Ether over existing cabling--the largest potential market. This seems to be in contrast to ANCR, who is apparently focusing mostly on fiber-only Ethernet, thus leaving the largest market segment open to MRVC and others. But then again, MRVC has shown the ability to profit hugely, to the tune of 100%+ sustained earnings growth.
It's the solution you can sell to the customers that will make the money. MRVC (and Intel/MRVC and Fujitsu/MRVC) already have a huge 100MB audience to sell Gig Ethernet to. If a small percentage of those want to upgrade to fiber, MRVC transceivers provide this link. How many of the Gig Ether companies are this well-positioned? CSCOs Gig Ether product won't be out until next year...ANCRs Gig Ether product apparently requires re-cabling the building with fiber optic.
Dan Spillane
Sofware Engineer
Digital Systems, Inc.
Redmond, WA USA |
