Local Area Networks
Make the Switch
Traffic across a LAN is directed by a
network switch, which enables computers to
communicate and share resources. This month,
Communications News looks at a
representative sampling of the latest
switches from leading vendors.
3Com
The 3Com Baseline
Switch 2900 Plus series delivers voice-ready
Layer 2 enterprise-class gigabit switching
with advanced features for network control
and security. Key benefits include:
out-of-the-box operation for organizations
with limited or no IT support; auto-voice
VLAN to automatically detect and connect any
standards-based Internet protocol phone; QoS
prioritization, so voice calls always have
sufficient bandwidth to ensure clarity; and
Gigabit Ethernet performance for
high-bandwidth applications, such as video,
IP security, ERP and CRM. The rack-mountable
switches are available in 16-, 24- and
48-port models. Each switch also has four
dual-purpose ports configurable as SFPbased
fiber or standard copper to connect to
high-performance computers, servers or
network backbones.
For more information
(click here)
Extreme Networks
Summit X450 series
switches from Extreme Networks provide a
high-bandwidth, nonblocking architecture
with fiber or tri-speed copper gigabit ports
for demanding edge applications. With
high-density gigabit plus optional
10-Gigabit Ethernet in a 1RU format, X450
switches support a full range of Layer 2 to
Layer 4 features on every port. Summit X450
switches are available in two versions:
fiber, to support flexible and convenient
modular optics, and copper, suitable for
local data distribution. The switches
deliver advanced routing protocols (e.g.,
OSPF, BGP and multicast), quality of
service, Ethernet automatic protection
switching resiliency protocol, and security
features, such as threat detection and
response instrumentation.
For more information
(click here)
Korenix
The Korenix Technology JetNet 4510
industrial managed Ethernet switch is housed
in a rugged aluminum alloy material and
equipped with seven 10/100TX ports and three
10/100 RJ-45/100FX SFP combo ports. Included
software supports full Layer 2 management
features, ring redundancy, network control,
and security and alert features. The switch
offers support for an RS-232 console for
out-of-band management. The combo port
design can be expanded from 10 ports pure
10/100-Mbps copper to seven ports
10/100-Mbps copper plus three fiber ports
with multimode or singlemode transceiver in
random.
For more information
(click here)
SMC Networks
The TigerSwitch
family of high-density gigabit clustering
managed switches from SMC Networks includes
the TigerSwitch 10/100/1000 standalone 24-,
26- and 50-port switches-all with combo
ports for fiber uplink-with built-in IP
clustering that supports up to 32 switches
as a single managed system. All three
support application filtering and per port
bandwidth management with MAC-based
security. The switches utilize a single-chip
architecture to ensure wire-speed delivery
of data packets, while maintaining security
through the use of SSL, SSH and other
security measures.
For more information
(click here)
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks' EX
3200 series switches are fixed-configuration
Ethernet platforms offering a
cost-effective, standalone solution for
low-density deployments. The 24- and 48-port
EX 3200 switches offer plug-and-play
10/100/1000BASE-T connectivity, as well as
full and partial PoE options. Optional
four-port GbE and two-port 10GbE uplink
modules with pluggable optics are also
available for supporting high-speed
connections to other switches or upstream
devices such as routers. Power supply and
fan trays are field-replaceable.
For more information
(click here)
Cisco Systems
Cisco's IEEE
802.3af-compliant Catalyst 2960 series
fixed-configuration standalone switches with
PoE provide desktop 10/100 Fast Ethernet and
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in
8-, 24- and 48-port configurations for
entry-level enterprise and small branch
office networks. The 2960-24PC-L can support
24 full-powered PoE ports at 15.4 watts. The
2960-24LT-L has 24 10/100 Mbps ports with
eight full-powered PoE ports at 15.4 watts.
The 2960-8TT-L has eight 10/100 ports with
one 10/100/1000 PoE input port. These
switches include comprehensive Layer 2 LAN
features, intelligent QoS,
network-management features and security
protection, including network admission
control.
For more information
(click here)
HP
The ProCurve Switch
2610 series from HP consists of five
switches; the 2610-24 and 2610-48 provide 24
and 48 ports of 10/100 connectivity. The
2610-24 is fanless, ensuring quiet operation
when deployed in open spaces. The
2610-24/12PWR, 2610-24-PWR and 2610-48-PWR
are IEEE 802.3 af-compliant for power over
Ethernet (PoE) and provide up to 15.4 W for
12, 24 and 48 ports. The 2610-24/12PWR has
24 10/100 ports and provides 12 ports of
PoE. All switches include two
10/100/1000BASE-T ports and two mini-GBIC
slots for gigabit uplink connectivity.
For more information
(click here)
Advantech
Designed for harsh industrial
applications, the Advantech EKI-7626C
18-port gigabit-capable unmanaged industrial
Ethernet switch is equipped with 16
10/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet ports and two
10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports.
With dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, the
EKI-7626C is used for bandwidth-intensive
applications and those requiring the
flexibility to accommodate long-distance and
noise-immune fiber-optic connections.
Packaged in a rugged metal DIN-railmount
chassis to withstand shock and vibration,
the switch includes dual 12-48 VDC power
inputs, 4,000 VDC Ethernet ESD protection
and power line surge protection of 3,000
VDC. Each Ethernet port is equipped with LED
indicators that provide transmission speed,
link and activity status to aid in
diagnosing issues with cables and attached
devices.
For more information
(click here)