Extreme Networks is now shipping 24- and 48-port Summit
200 10/100 Ethernet switches.
The Summit 200 switches operate at Layer 3 of the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model, offering more intelligence for network
security and performance, said John Erlandson, director of hardware
product management at Extreme Networks.
Both are rack unit designs and, at $1,850 for the 24-port model
and $3,350 for the 48-port model, are "less expensive than many
Layer 2 switches" with less intelligence, Erlandson said. Layer 2
is the data link layer in the seven-layer OSI model.
Erlandson added that the Summit 200 represented "the end of the
Layer 2 switch" because of its Layer 3 intelligence and low
cost.
Last week both Cisco Systems and Nortel Networks unveiled
lower-cost switches
Cisco launched several Lan switching products which included the
Catalyst 4500 Series Supervisor Engine II-Plus, a control module
that fits into the Catalyst 4500 switch series chassis. Designed
for smaller networks, it provides quality of service and security
for wireless connections and IP telephony.
Cisco also introduced the new Catalyst 4500 48-port 10/100/1000
module, which is designed to reduce the cost of Gigabit Ethernet
while providing power over Ethernet. It is available now for
$5,495.
Another new Cisco product, the Catalyst 2970 Series 24-port
fixed configuration switch, is designed to offer Gigabit Ethernet
connectivity. It's priced at $4,995.
Nortel also announced two new BayStack 5000 switches and the
Passport 8300 Ethernet switch last week. The BayStack 5000 switches
are designed to offer greater intelligence and performance for
distributed applications and the ability to bring Gigabit Ethernet
to desktops.
The switches feature improved stacking that will enable them to
run 32 times faster than preceding models, Nortel officials
said.
Matt Hamblen writes for Computerworld