The global Ethernet switch market totaled $5.1 billion in 4Q12, up 5% sequentially, and $19.8 billion in 2012, up almost $1 billion over 2011 (+4.7%), according to a new report from Infonetics. Some key points:
- All top 5 Ethernet switch revenue leaders — Cisco, HP, Juniper, Dell, Brocade — increased revenue in 2012 over 2011, though smaller vendors managed to gain market share
- Together, Cisco and HP capture over ¾ of the global Ethernet switch market
- 10G is accounting for almost all Ethernet switch revenue growth: 10G port shipments grew 66% in 2012, driven by data center upgrades, 10G server adoption, server virtualization, and core network buildouts
- 40G Ethernet is growing rapidly, with port volumes up 10-fold in 2012, from a small base
“Given the finicky economic backdrop, weakness in Europe, and lower spending by public sector customers, Ethernet switches turned in a solid performance in 2012, returning to modest growth,” notes Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst for enterprise networks and video at Infonetics Research. “And signs are pointing to a healthier road ahead as discounting returns to normal levels and buyers seek higher-value products like layer 3 switches and higher-speed ports.”
http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2013/4Q12-Ethernet-Switch-Market-Highlights.asp