Force10 Networks has introduced packet over SONET (POS) functionality to its Ethernet-based TeraScale E-Series family of switch/routers.
The new POS functionality comes via a four-port multirate line card with OC3c/STM-1, OC12c/STM-4 and OC-48c/STM-16 speed options, which can be selected on a per port basis.
Steve Garrison, vice president of corporate marketing at Force10, said this addition to the company’s product line addresses the market’s need for carrier-class resiliency with Ethernet economics; and the move to 10gigE by a wide variety of entities, including portal companies like Google, which are seeing growing capacity requirements due to traffic such as video and are using these links to tie together their various data centers; transport wholesalers like Level 3 Communications Inc.; and collocation outfits like Switch and Data. It does that by delivering a solution that was designed as an Ethernet device – rather than as a SONET box that has evolved to support Ethernet – and so offers the cost benefits of Ethernet. As for 10gigE, Garrison said many communications are moving to it, but he added that 10gigE still relies on SONET. Yet SONET has not all been upgraded to OC192, he continued, so SONET can be a gating factor in these 10gigE upgrades.
With the added POS functionality, the Force10 TeraScale E-Series can anchor now both new 10 gigabit Ethernet networks as well as networks that are supporting SONET/SDH while moving to Ethernet.
The Force10 OC3c/OC12c/OC48c line card will be available in August at a list price of $100,000.
Force10 Networks www.force10networks.com
