* Enterasys offers Layer 3 switch, family of Layer 2 switches
Enterasys last week introduced a Layer 3 enterprise switch and a family of Layer 2 stackable edge switches.
The Matrix N1 is described as a single-slot chassis that leverages the distributed architecture of the N-Series switches. Enterasys calls the modules that fit into the chassis distributed forwarding engines (DFE). DFEs are self-contained switches, so separate management and forwarding engines aren’t necessary.
With the Matrix N1, customers can deploy Enterasys’ technology more uniformly throughout their networks, for edge aggregation or for distributed switching. The switch is shipping now for a list price of $3,000.
The SecureStack A2 family of Layer 2 stackable edge switches allows up to 384 ports of 10/100M bit/sec Ethernet and 16 ports of Gigabit Ethernet to reside in a single stack. Each SecureStack A2 has four Gigabit uplinks – two copper and two fiber. The copper links are available for stacking, so that means switches in a “stack” can be up to 100 meters apart over Category-5 cable.
There are five different models in the SecureStack A2 line. They include 24-port and 48-port 10/100M bit/sec Ethernet switches, 24-port and 48-port 10/100M bit/sec switches with Power over Ethernet, and a 24-port 100Base-FX switch.
Enterasys says the switches have several resilient stacking capabilities, including redundant stack management (with primary and secondary managers), a single IP address to manage a complete stack, hot-swapping support so that units in a stack can be added and removed at any time, and the ability to perform automatic software upgrades to all the units in a stack.
The stackables are set to start shipping next week, with list prices ranging from $625 to $3,500.
