Repeating previous PR:
FORE Systems Announces Next Generation ATM Switch With The 40 Gbps ForeRunner(R) ASX-4000
New Switch is the First in the Industry with OC-48c ATM Ports
April 27, 1998 11:04 AM
PITTSBURGH, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- FORE Systems Inc. FORE , a global supplier of networking solutions based on an Intelligent Infrastructure(TM), today announced the "ForeRunner"(R) ASX-4000, the first in a new family of ATM switches that can scale to over 100 Gbps. The switch, which boasts up to 40 Gbps of non-blocking switching capacity, is also the first switch in the industry with OC-48c ATM ports. Providing a scalable, reliable, high-speed foundation for building networking solutions that last, the ASX-4000 is specifically designed for the backbone of large enterprise and high-performance desktop networks, and for IP (Internet Protocol) service providers.
FORE Systems will be showcasing the ASX-4000 in its booth at next week's "Networld + Interop 98" exhibition and tradeshow in Las Vegas (booth #3643).
"The ASX-4000 delivers benefits to customers with mission-critical networks unlike any other product on the market today," commented Ron McKenzie, FORE Systems' vice president of strategic marketing. "It was developed to meet the growing bandwidth needs of our customers and to provide those customers with an Intelligent Infrastructure that allows their network to easily scale with respect to bandwidth, users and applications."
Customers Welcome Next Generation ATM Switch
The highly scalable and resilient architecture of the ASX-4000 make it the ideal platform for companies with mission-critical networks, like DreamWorks Animation of Burbank, California. "We place high demands on our production facility networks," states Surya Denduluri, Network System Services at DreamWorks. "With the FORE ASX-4000 ATM switch supplying a 40 Gbps backbone, our campus networks can provide high-speed links to our servers and desktops to meet the demanding needs of our artists and animators."
"The ASX-4000 is a proven solution, because it is based on the 'ForeThought'(R) code stream for FORE Systems' existing line of switches," added McKenzie. "Thousands of organizations around the world have been using 'ForeThought' for several years, so customers are excited about deploying a product that is field-tested and feature-rich at first release. We expect the ASX-4000 to quickly become a critical component of many large networks, because it offers excellent reliability, scalability and flexibility."
The "ForeThought" software allows high priority, delay-sensitive traffic -- like constant bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) data -- to traverse the network without affecting bursty traffic -- such as available bit rate (ABR) or unspecified bit rate (UBR) data. The ASX-4000 also conforms to standards and protocols set forth by the ATM Forum, IETF and ITU. It complies with UNI v3.0, 3.1, and 4.0 for signaling, addressing, traffic management and network management; and it also supports Classical IP and LAN Emulation (LANE) v1.0.
Performance and Scalability Leadership
The ASX-4000 supports as many as 64 OC-12 (622 Mbps) or 16 OC-48c (2.4 Gbps) connections in a platform just over four feet tall that fits in a 19-inch rack. The new switch is also architected to support OC-192 and high-density OC-3c ports. Enhanced scalability is achieved by the ASX-4000's advanced traffic management capabilities and through improved "ForeThought" features, including PNNI (Private Network-to-Network Interface) and MPOA (Multi-Protocol Over ATM).
"Another significant advantage of the ASX-4000 is the fact that it will deliver all this rich functionality from the very start," added McKenzie. "Unlike some products launched by other networking manufacturers that only support a small percentage of their stated capacity at launch, the ASX-4000 will support 40 Gbps of full-duplex, non-blocking capacity at launch. It will have OC-48c ports at launch. It will also provide a scalable, flexible and resilient backbone at launch."
The Dependable Solution
Demonstrating its high level of availability and dependability, the ASX-4000 is intelligently partitioned, with no single point of failure. All components can be removed and replaced during operation, which helps to minimize downtime during maintenance and equipment upgrades. Additionally, the "ForeThought" software allows the ASX-4000 to quickly recover from a network level failure through its PNNI and LANE features.
The capacity of the ASX-4000 places it far ahead of the competition. According to industry and trade publications, other manufacturers have plans for designing switches that deliver roughly 12 to 20 Gbps. That expected capacity is a mere one-third to one-half the capacity the ASX-4000 is already delivering. "The ASX-4000 puts FORE Systems in the driver's seat in the push toward Terabit networking," added McKenzie.
Pricing and Availability
The ASX-4000 will be available by the Summer of 1998. Global list pricing for the 10 Gbps configuration of the ASX-4000 begins at $55,000.
About FORE Systems
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of networking solutions based on an Intelligent Infrastructure designed to handle the networked applications of today and tomorrow.
FORE's Networks of Steel(TM) deliver the increased capacity, reduced complexity and unparalleled flexibility and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks.
For more information on FORE's Networks of Steel, call 888-404-0444 or visit the FORE Systems web site at www.fore.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, customers and other matters. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by FORE Systems with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June, 1997 for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
FORE Systems, "ForeRunner" and "ForeThought" are registered trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. "Intelligent Infrastructure" and "Networks of Steel" are trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. SOURCE FORE Systems Inc. |
