* SMC Networks’ two stackable Gigabit Ethernet switches
SMC Networks this week unveiled two stackable Gigabit Ethernet switches with optional 10 Gigabit uplinks, aiming them at enterprise and workgroup environments.
The TigerStack 10/100/1000M bit/sec stackable managed switch comes in 24-port and 48-port varieties. These ports are copper-based and fixed. Four of the ports, on both models, are also upgradeable, so that if a user would like to add fiber optics to the mix, they can. An optional module with one port of 10 Gigabit Ethernet can be added.
SMC points out how compact the switches are – just one rack unit high, despite the high port count. Up to eight of the switches can be stacked.
The 24-port switch has a capacity of 108G bit/sec, and the 48-port version has a capacity of 156G bit/sec, so the switches have plenty of headroom and a non-blocking architecture.
The switches have security features built in, including access control lists and support for IEEE 802.1x, RADIUS and Secure Shell. The switches are also able to prioritize traffic into eight different levels of service and can perform rate limiting, helping to ensure certain levels of quality of service across the network. Virtual LANs are supported, based on port and protocol.
SMC says the switches can be upgraded with more features in the future.
The switches, whose model numbers are SMC8748M and SMC8724M, are shipping now. The 24-port version costs $3,400 and the 48-port version is 5,000.
Previously, SMC had offered stackable 10/100M bit/sec Ethernet switches with Gigabit Ethernet uplinks, and standalone 10/100/1000M bit/sec Ethernet switches with up to 48 ports.
