Often, 10-Gigabit Ethernet is talked about in the context of metropolitan-area networks (MAN) and WANs. But at least one company is planning to use the technology in LAN environments.
Hewlett-Packard, which was demonstrating 10-Gigabit Ethernet transceivers nearly two years ago, joined the 10-Gigabit Ethernet Alliance last month. Other newcomers to the alliance included Foundry Networks and Cabletron spinoff Riverstone Networks. The alliance is intended to promote and speed the development of 10-Gig.
HP has specifically said it plans to bring 10-Gig to its LAN switches. The company also plans to connect HP-based data centers using the high-speed Ethernet.
While other vendors mention LAN applications for 10-Gig in passing, it's clear that a lot of them are drawn equally, if not more, to the potential MAN and WAN applications of the technology.
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In addition to writing this newsletter, Jeff Caruso edits Network World's e-mail newsletters from his office on New York's Long Island. If you would like to make suggestions about newsletter format or content, or even just express your opinion on today's topic, you can reach Jeff at jcaruso@nww.com.
High Speed LANs archive
Past newsletters.
The press release from HP
Can Ethernet span LAN, MAN and WAN?
Network World, 01/17/00.
10 Gigabit Ethernet touted by vendor alliance
Network World, 02/09/00.
