Enterasys Networks this week will revamp its stackable and modular edge switches with a new generation of platforms featuring enhanced automation, visibility and control.
For the modular edge, Enterasys unveiled the K-Series line. The K-Series includes two chassis -- one a 10-slot configuration and the other a six-slot version. The 10-slot chassis supports up to 216 Gigabit Ethernet ports and eight 10G Ethernet uplinks. The six-slot configuration supports up to 144 Gigabit Ethernet ports and four 10G Ethernet uplinks.
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I/O modules include 24 port 10/100/1000 with IEEE 802.3at-compliant PoE; 24 port Gigabit Ethernet SFP; and four-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+.
The K-Series incorporates Enterasys' CoreFlow 2 ASIC, which is designed to classify users, devices and applications -- such as business, best effort, critical topology and unauthorized -- and enforce access control and categorization policies associated with them at line rate.
This includes discovery and authentication of IP phones. When an IP phone is discovered, a pre-provisioned policy is assigned to it, Enterasys says. This is designed to simplify moves. Adds and changes in IP telephony environments.
The K-Series supports several discovery protocols for IP phones and other endpoints, including Cisco Discovery Protocol, Link Layer Discovery Protocol with Media Endpoint Discovery, TCP/UDP port number snooping, reserved IP address snooping, H.323 and the Session Initiation Protocol.
In the stackable form factor, Enterasys rolled out the A4 line, designed for entry-level connectivity and embedded video/voice/data prioritization. The Enterasys A4 is a 10/100Mbps stackable switch with high-availability and integrated automation features, such as user-based access controls.
For the first time in the A Series stackable lineup, the A4 performs role-based access and security controls. This allows it to enforce policies defined on a per user basis by the network administrator, Enterasys says.
The A4 line includes 24/48 port 10/100Mbps switches, with 802.3af PoE and non-PoE models, and fiber models. The A4 supports up to eight switches in a single stack. It can support up to 384 end-user ports per stack, and up to 16 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports.
The A4 also supports eight hardware queues and LLDP-MED for voice/video deployments .
The Enterasys K-Series and A4 lines with be available in June. The A4 has a starting list price of $699, while the K-Series has a starting price of $26,685.
Enterasys had a 1% share of the $5.4 billion Ethernet switch market in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to Dell'Oro Group. The K-Series and A4 will go up against stackable and modular edge switches from Cisco, HP, Brocade, Extreme Networks and others.