Extreme Launches its BlackDiamond 10K Switch

Extreme Networks launched its new BlackDiamond 10K switch based on its fourth generation 4GNSS ASICs and a modular operating system designed for new levels of scalability, resiliency, security and extensibility. Unlike the first wave of 10 Gigabit platforms to hit the market, Extreme said its new switch not only delivers 10 Gbps line rate performance, but is built to handle vast increases in the number of flows traversing the core of a network. Six new, programmable ASICs provide 1.6 Tbps of processing capacity for hardware-based routing of 10 Gbps IPv4, IPv6 and MPLS traffic. The ASICs provide a hitless failover capacity to another switching fabric that is in-synch. They also deliver advanced packet filtering and monitoring capabilities for detecting traffic anomalies that could be associated with security threats to the network. Intrusion detection capabilities provide the means to act early against unusual traffic patterns that may constitute destructive viruses/attacks.


With the new BlackDiamond 10K switch, Extreme Networks is also introducing an all-new UNIX-based software platform. ExtremeWare XOS uses a modular architecture to ensure better scalability, security, resiliency and extensibility. Open XML and POSIX interfaces, coupled with a configurable Command Line Interface (CLI), enable ExtremeWare XOS and the BlackDiamond 10K to be integrated with other applications and equipment, such as VoIP gateways. For instance, through its recently announced partnership with Avaya, the Open XML compatibility could be used for a gateway to automatically discover the most adjacent switch, load a traffic monitor onto the switch, and thereby enable calls to be routed over the PSTN.


Extreme's BlackDiamond 10K switch begins shipping next week at a starting price of $90,000. It accommodates up to 48 10 Gbps interfaces or up to 480 Gigabit Interfaces. Pricing for a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port is $7,200 (U.S. list). Gigabit Ethernet ports have a list price of $666.
http://www.extremenetworks.com