Force10 Networks unveiled its ExaScale E-Series family of switch/routers aimed at virtualized data center and cloud computing environments.
The ExaScale E-Series represents Force10’s third generation technology that incorporates several innovations to boost its high-level of non-blocking line-rate Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet densities. The platform boasts total throughput of more than two billion packets per second across a switching fabric capacity of up to 3.5 Tbps or 250 Gbps full duplex per slot. With support for 140 line-rate 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports in a half-rack chassis, the ExaScale E-Series can support 100 Gbps of useable data capacity per slot.
The design also features the ability to ability to modify buffer allocations according to specific application requirements, enabling the platform to tune peak application performance, independent of network load.
Force10 Networks said the design of its switching fabric delivers continuous non-blocking, line-rate throughput that eliminates network bottlenecks, regardless of packet size or enabled features. Its Unix-like modular Force10 operating system offers an industry-standard command line interface that provides simplified management, automation and resource provisioning capabilities.
Possible deployment scenarios include:
- Virtualized data center and cloud computing networks with multiple switching or routing domains in local or geographically disparate environments
- High-performance computing networks with non-blocking and deterministic management and storage I/O requirements
- High-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching and routing in high-performance Layer 2 and IP core or aggregation networks.
Other key capabilities include:
- IPv4 unicast and multicast routing for advanced services networks
- IPv6 ready for native and dual stack next-generation IP networks
- MPLS ready with P router and VPN functionality
- 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet ready
“As one of the world’s largest centers for scientific research, CERN’s advanced network delivers 100 Gigabits per second of aggregate bandwidth to collaborators around the globe and is the key link in our total chain of information capture and analysis,” said David Foster, Deputy Head of the IT department at CERN. “The Force10 ExaScale E-Series has demonstrated the ultra throughput and buffer management that will ensure the application reliability and performance we require to support our more than 9,000 scientists around the world.”
The half-rack Force10 ExaScale E1200i chassis bundle starts at $89,000 and is now commercially available.
http://www.force10networks.com
