Gigabit Ethernet Switches

Intel Corporationnew Gigabit network switch products include three that can transfer one billion bits (one Gigabit) of information per second over standard copper wiring.

Two of the three new NetStructure switches, as well as a new switch uplink module, take advantage of widely-deployed Category 5 copper wiring to boost network performance in an easier, more cost-effective manner. Called Gigabit over Copper, this technology provides the performance of Gigabit products based on fiber optic networks while allowing organizations to use their existing Category 5 copper-based infrastructure.

The new switches are part of the NetStructure family of communications products and services, announced in February. The products target a new category of value-added infrastructure appliances and networking communications equipment for building or improving e-Businesses, and are designed to be easily deployed and to complement companies' existing network and server environment.

The new switches include:
-- The NetStructure 470T Switch and Intel NetStructure 470F Switch, Intel's next-generation entry-level Gigabit switches. The 470T, with six 100/1000BASE-T Copper ports and two GBIC ports, and the 470F, with eight 1000BASE-SX ports, are cost effective Layer 2 solutions for aggregating workgroup switches and e-Business servers. Both switches deliver Quality of Service (QoS) features for intelligent control of data center and workgroup traffic. The 470T also offers maximum media flexibility to address cost and distance limitations.

-- The NetStructure 480T Routing Switch, an intelligent data center Gigabit switch that provides controlled bandwidth for demanding e-Business applications. The 480T cost-effectively aggregates server farms, campus switches and desktop switches in a high-density Layer 3 switch with 12 100/1000BASE-T Copper ports and four GBIC ports. The feature-rich 480T offers advanced Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities such as 802.1p prioritization and bandwidth shaping, a variety of management capabilities and maximum media flexibility. An optional software upgrade adds support for advanced Layer 3 routing features such as OSPF; IPX routing; as well as DVMRP and PIM multicast routing to optimize video streaming on the network.

Intel also introduced an uplink module to enable Intel Express 460T Standalone Switches to link to servers or backbones using Gigabit over copper technology. With auto-sensing support for 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T networks, the 460T module can help ease migration to Gigabit Ethernet. The module supports all features of the Express 460T Standalone Switch, including 802.1Q Virtual LANs (VLANs), link aggregation and 802.1p prioritization.

The new Intel NetStructure Gigabit switches and the uplink module are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards for greater interoperability and seamless integrated operation on a network.

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