Force10 Networks today introduced the S50 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet data center switch, the first fixed configuration switch purpose built for the rigorous requirements of data centers. The Force10 S50, with 20 percent more switching capacity than competitive solutions and an extensive array of resiliency features, provides core-like reliability and stability in a stackable, compact form factor. Together, the S50 and the industry-leading TeraScale E-Series deliver the ideal end-to-end solution for high performance data centers, setting the bar for resiliency, scalability and performance.

"The S50 is an ideal complement to Force10's product line that provides an end-to-end solution by leveraging the tremendous success of the TeraScale E-Series in the data center core, where reliability is essential," said Andrew Feldman, vice president of marketing at Force10 Networks. "With the S50, managers can build into the server edge of their data centers the density and resiliency features typically found in the core, increasing reliable performance and the value of the data center as a strategic asset."

The Force10 S50 delivers line-rate high density Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet to the server edge of high performance data centers. The one rack unit S50 supports 48 line-rate 10/100/1000 ports and two optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. With the S50 and the industry-leading TeraScale E-Series, Force10 now delivers unmatched resiliency and performance from the core of the data center to the edge.

Like the TeraScale E-Series, the Force10 S50 delivers the high density throughput that allows network operators to process more traffic on a single system, simplifying the network and reducing ownership costs. With 192 Gigabits per second switching capacity, the S50 can process 20 percent more traffic than competitive solutions. Additionally, network operators can stack up to eight Force10 S50s to create a single virtual switch, simplifying network management.

To increase resiliency in high performance environments, the Force10 S50 supports a full complement of Layer 3 features, enabling multiple redundant paths through the network. Additionally, the S50 leverages a suite of resiliency features, including pre-provisioning, hot insertion and removal of stacked switches, protection against stack splits in the event of a single switch failure, advanced link aggregation and 10 Gigabits per second of dedicated bandwidth for stacking, that combines to ensure maximum availability and reliability at the server edge.

According to Dell'Oro Group, Gigabit Ethernet servers are rapidly increasing as a percent of total new servers, growing from 27 percent in 2003, to 39 percent in 2004. With Gigabit Ethernet deployed at the server edge, the demand for 10 Gigabit Ethernet in the data center core is also growing. As this trend continues, network operators will need high density Gigabit Ethernet switches at the server edge and reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches at the core to accommodate the increase in capacity. The Force10 S50 and the TeraScale E-Series reliably deliver that density, enabling network operators to build scalable next-generation data centers.

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