Force10 Networks Introduces C-Series Resilient Switch

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Force10 Networks introduces the C300 resilient switch that delivers the reliability, network control and scalability IT managers require to ensure their network is a strategic asset. Purpose-built for demanding deployments ranging from midsize data centers to wiring closets, the C300 is the industry’s first switch that combines the essential reliability characteristics necessary to support today’s mission critical business applications. With the continual evolution of applications and the emergence of new ones, it is crucial that the network – from the data center to the wiring closet – is flexible to respond to changing business requirements. To ensure the network is application ready, the Force10 C300 brings the reliability, control and performance scalability technologies of the TeraScale E-Series that were hardened in the production networks of high end data centers to midsize data centers and wiring closets.

The Force10 C-Series is designed to bring reliability to the mid-size data center and enterprise local area network. The modular Force10 Operating System software provides inherent stability and eliminates unplanned network downtime. In addition to software reliability, the C-Series delivers full hardware resiliency with redundant components and hot insertion technologies that ensure maximum network uptime. The passive backplane of the C300 also means that it doesn’t act as a single point of failure, further ensuring always-on networking.

To provide IT managers with more effective control over their network, the Force10 C300 delivers a suite of tools and features that increase manageability, serviceability and visibility. The modular FTOS includes an industry standard command line interface that simplifies management and leverages the installed base of networking knowledge. Additionally, the C300 features HP OpenView-ready plug-ins with XML and SNMP MIB hooks for rapid integration into existing data center and wiring closet environments.

Beyond manageability, Force10 has integrated the advanced serviceability and visibility features developed for the TeraScale E-Series into the C300. In-service tracing and troubleshooting command line interfaces provide advanced serviceability tools that allow IT managers to quickly resolve issues without bringing down the network. Runtime hardware and data plane status monitoring provide visibility into the network, enabling IT managers to better understand and control the traffic on their network. Further providing IT managers with visibility into their network is the intelligent power management of the C300 that provides granular PoE control and tracks power in use as well as available power on a per port basis.

To deliver long-term investment protection, the Force10 C300 features enhanced scalability. The C300 has a switching capacity of 1.5 Terabits per second or 96 Gigabits per second per slot, providing the scalable capacity that will allow enterprises to expand their networks to support new applications without the cost of a system upgrade. Today, the C300 supports 384 line-rate Gigabit and 32 line-rate 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports in a single chassis. With the scalable capacity of the backplane, however, the C-Series can support multiple density increases in the future, providing long-term investment protection.

With full line-rate, non-blocking throughput across the backplane, the Force10 C300 can support new applications and features without impacting performance. Additionally, the C300 delivers full performance regardless of traffic conditions. And with full 15.4W Class 3 PoE support, the C300 can deliver full power to all 384 Gigabit Ethernet ports simultaneously.

As applications have evolved and new ones are introduced, traffic patterns are changing. With software as a service applications and collaboration tools, traffic now moves between end users as well as from the end user to the data center. As a result, there is a need for consistent performance characteristics throughout the network. By creating a unified network fabric, enterprises can build into their networks the flexibility to respond to changing business requirements.

Reliable Networking by Force10 delivers the reliability, control and scalability required to ensure the network is ready for emerging applications and services and can flexibly respond to those changing requirements.

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