Force10 Networks has announced an end-to-end 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40 GbE) solution designed to bring increased performance while delivering network simplicity to converged data centers. For the data center edge, Force10 is launching the S-Series S4810 10/40 GbE top-of-rack (ToR) switch, while for the network core, it is announcing the new 40 GbE line card for its ExaScale virtualized core switch/router.

This new core-to-edge solution also incorporates the Force10 Open Automation Framework and leverages its ability to improve network flexibility, availability and manageability while reducing operational expenses in virtualized data center environments through network automation.

"As the adoption of 10 GbE on servers and storage systems accelerates, an end-to-end solution delivering high-density 10 GbE aggregation at the network edge coupled with 40 GbE interconnects in the core is increasingly becoming a necessity in data center networks," said Zeus Kerravala, senior vice president and distinguished research fellow, Yankee Group. "With its core-to-edge 40 GbE solution announced today, Force10 is well positioned to capture additional market share as customers look to attributes such as high port density and lower power consumption – attributes where their ExaScale switch/router competes effectively."

The S4810 10/40 GbE ToR switch is purpose-built for applications in data center and computing environments that require the highest bandwidth and lowest latency. Leveraging a non-blocking, cut-through switching architecture, the S4810 delivers line-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding capacity with ultra low latency to maximize network performance. The compact S4810 design provides 48 dual-speed 1/10 GbE ports as well as four 40 GbE uplinks to conserve valuable rack space.

"With this announcement, Force10 enters a market poised for spectacular growth as data center managers continue to optimize their network infrastructure and improve overall efficiency by increasing capacity and lessening latency for their converged fabrics," said Alan Weckel, director,  Ethernet switch market research, Dell'Oro Group. "As a result, we anticipate that 10 GbE port shipments associated with purpose-built 10 Gbps top-of-rack switches will increase from 325,000 ports in 2009 to 4.5 million by 2012."

Force10 to Demonstrate S4810 at SC10 Conference

The S4810 ToR switch will be showcased at the upcoming SC10 conference November 15–18, 2010 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, as part of a comprehensive multi-vendor, multi-technology display in the Ethernet Alliance booth. The demonstration will feature equipment from several vendors, highlighting the ability of Ethernet to support high performance networking technologies, including 10 GbE and 40 GbE as well as converged traffic including, iSCSI, iWARP, RoCE and others.

40 GbE Connectivity from Edge to Core

As the first company to provide an end-to-end 40 GbE solution, Force10 is delivering connectivity from the data center edge to the core with the new oversubscribed 40 GbE line card for the company's flagship ExaScale virtualized core switch/router. Supporting high port density, the ExaScale switch scales to 56 40 GbE ports in a single, half-rack chassis. Today, the ExaScale also offers the industry's highest 10 GbE density, supporting up to 560 ports in a half-rack chassis.

"Data centers face tremendous swings in network traffic and must have a flexible infrastructure that is both easy to implement and manage," said Arpit Joshipura, newly appointed chief marketing officer, Force10 Networks. "Coupling the ExaScale in the core and the S4810 at the network edge with the Force10 Open Automation Framework creates a two-tier, logically flat and non-blocking 10/40 GbE data center network solution that delivers increased bandwidth and decreased complexity. At the same time, it contributes to reduced operational expenses by providing greater availability and manageability in virtualized data center environments."

Availability

The S4810 will begin shipping to customers by the end of this quarter. The 40 GbE line card for the ExaScale virtualized core switch/router will ship to customers in the first half of 2011.