NETWORKS

Crossbeam Systems announced that it has expanded its family of X-Series network security platforms with the X50 to address growing requirements for high-performance security within mid-size data centers and branch offices. The new platform also enables larger IT organizations with multiple X-Series deployments to easily expand their security infrastructure across the business, while maintaining centralized control over security policy and management.

The X50 platform benefits from Crossbeam's new sixth-generation network processing blades and newly enhanced operating system. The new platform takes advantage of the massive scalability and best-of-breed architecture provided by the X-Series to deliver a highly consolidated security infrastructure that is capable of delivering 160 Gbps of full duplex network connectivity and 20 Gbps of real-world IMIX performance.

"As enterprises transition their data centers to private clouds, security infrastructures must deliver new levels of flexibility, performance and scalability to accommodate these virtualized environments and secure data traffic," said John Grady, senior research analyst, security products and services, IDC. "The X50 extends Crossbeam's high-performance security architecture to key areas of the enterprise that now demand these capabilities, positioning the company to take full advantage of the market opportunity."

The X-Series platforms deploy security applications from best-of-breed vendors on an open architecture that delivers the scalability, flexibility and built-in redundancy required to intelligently and reliably manage traffic as security and network demands change. With the introduction of the X50, Crossbeam meets the full range of environments demanding high-performance security -- from mid-sized enterprises looking to protect their virtualized infrastructure to service providers securing communications for millions of subscribers.

"The X50 hits the sweet spot for IT organizations looking to achieve optimal security performance and protection for mid-size data centers and branch locations, at an entry point that makes sense for the level of security and scale they require," said Chet Gapinski, vice president of product development at Crossbeam. "The X50 completes the X-Series portfolio to provide options for every part of business."

The expanded product family gives customers greater flexibility to choose the right X-Series platform for their needs. Specifically, the X50 offers customers:

-- A flexible four-slot platform pre-configured for one security application, adaptable to run two applications with a total real-world IMIX performance of 20 Gbps. For a chart outlining key features of the X50 alongside other X-Series platforms, visit http://www.crossbeam.com/products/x-series-family/ .

-- The ability to deploy best-of-breed security applications from the industry-leading security providers, including Actiance, Check Point, Imperva, McAfee, Sophos and Sourcefire.

-- Centralized management with multiple X-Series platforms across the enterprise through the Crossbeam Management System (XMS) -- providing IT organizations with unparalleled visibility and control over their network security infrastructure.

The X50 platform is immediately available for customer purchase with delivery this quarter.