3Com`s CoreBuilder 9000 packet switching system delivers 4 times the capacity and performance of competing LAN core systems, enabling customers to fundamentally change the way they build networks to lower their overall cost of ownership.
A new class of enterprise switch, 3Com`s CoreBuilder 9000 is designed to ensure continuous operation and availability, along with leading performance and control, explains 3Com SA`s pre-sales manager, Paul Ruinaard.
"The CoreBuilder 9000 offers "PBX-quality" reliability, making it the most ideal convergence-ready enterprise platform available today," he says. "As the centre of the network, the CoreBuilder 9000 aggregates traffic from traditional wiring closet and edge devices, including 3Com`s market-leading SuperStack II switches, delivering superior application performance to end users."
Today, 3Com is bolstering its marketshare lead in Gigabit Ethernet with the introduction of its CoreBuilder 9000 packet switching system. The company has also announced that it has begun shipping the CoreBuilder 9000 packet-based system to customers in many industries who have successfully tested and deployed the systems to scale their networks to new performance heights.
"This new class of system, combined with our new generation of products, is rapidly being adopted by large businesses around the world," says Ron Sege, senior vice president, for 3Com`s Enterprise Systems. " With the CoreBuilder 9000 systems` unsurpassed capabilities, we are winning key business worldwide."
Most competitive option for today`s large enterprise networks
The CoreBuilder 9000 packet-based system provides 100/1000 Mbps connectivity with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching control, massive scalability and flexibility and high availability for the network`s campus interconnect and data center. It can also be used in the wiring closet, delivering unprecedented 10/100 connections and utmost reliability.
The CoreBuilder 9000 packet-based system delivers more than four times the capacity and performance of competing products from Bay Networks, Cabletron Systems and Cisco Systems. Industry-leading features include:
- 560 Gbps of backplane capacity
- Support for 126 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 504 Fast Ethernet ports
- Layer 2 switching rates of 188 Mpps and Layer 3 routing of 56 Mpps
- Support for 9 groups of RMON and 6 groups of RMON2
Next-generation architecture
The CoreBuilder 9000 platform was introduced in November 1997 and incorporates both Gigabit Ethernet and ATM technologies for next-generation networking.
"To ensure customers long-life use of the system well beyond the turn of the century, the CoreBuilder 9000`s highly-redundant, star-wired backplane scales up to 560 Gbps of capacity," says 3Com`s Ruinaard. "The packet-based CoreBuilder 9000`s initial Gigabit Ethernet switching fabric capacity starts at 48 Gbps, with planned extensions in excess of 140 Gbps."
The CoreBuilder 9000 packet-based system completes 3Com`s new generation of Ethernet campus solutions for 10/100/1000 Mbps connectivity and complements other 3Com 10/100/1000 systems as part of a complete Ethernet campus solution. Modules for the CoreBuilder 9000 packet switching system are based on proven technologies found in shipping packet systems from 3Com.
Building on Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching expertise
Layer 3 switching modules for the CoreBuilder 9000 are based on 3Com`s Flexible Intelligent Routing Engine (FIRE) ASIC chip set, also found in the CoreBuilder 3500 high-function Layer 3 switch, to provide maximum flexibility and control for Layer 3 networking. The CoreBuilder 9000 combined with the CoreBuilder 3500 cost-effectively replaces LAN routers and boosts network efficiency.
Ruinaard points out that the CoreBuilder line of switches combined with 3Com`s complete line of advanced Layer 2 SuperStack switches deliver workgroup concentration and dedicated desktop switching to Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring workgroups and desktops.
"CoreBuilder 9000 Layer 2 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet switching blades are based on 3Com`s state-of-the-art SAGE (Switching Architecture for Gigabit Ethernet) ASIC technology, also used in 3Com`s SuperStack II Switch 3900 and SuperStack II Switch 9300," he says. "Today`s news follows 3Com`s recent introduction of the CoreBuilder 9000 ATM system and enhancements to its SuperStack II workgroup switches, completing an entirely new generation of LAN switching solutions. "
Ruinaard says that combined with 3Com`s new PathBuilder line of WAN switches and advanced EtherLink 10/100/1000 Mbps network interface cards, 3Com`s new solution set offers the only fully switched desktop-to-desktop, LAN/WAN infrastructure.
"Fully switched networking is a key requirement to speeding and lowering the cost of today`s networking and for building networks that can handle next-generation voice/video/data applications," he adds.
Advanced management with policy and control
The CoreBuilder 9000 supports policy-based management and VLANs through industry-standard protocols 802.1p* and 802.1Q. Combining extensive QoS/CoS features and these protocols, the CoreBuilder 9000 delivers ultimate control and availability for the network. The CoreBuilder 9000 also supports 3Com`s policy-powered network framework, which comprehensively enforces information access (security), information delivery (class/quality of service), and network equipment monitoring and configuration actions according to business rules (i.e., policies). 3Com policy-powered networks are easier to configure than conventionally managed networks, can dramatically reduce current network administrative costs, and offer the control required for next-generation converged voice/video/data networks, virtual private networks and extranets.
*now officially standardised as part of the IEEE 802.1D
Availability:
The CoreBuilder 9000 packet-based system is available now as well as the 2-Port 1000Base-SX Gigabit Ethernet module.Additional modules announced today include:
- 48 Gbps Switching Fabric: Available now.
- 2-Port 1000Base-LX Gigabit Ethernet module: Available now.
- 20-Port 10/100Base-TX module: Available now.
- 10-Port 100Base-FX module: Available now.
- 12-Port 10/100Base-TX Layer 3 module: Available in December 1998.
- 10-Port 100Base-FX Layer 3 module: Available in December 1998.
- 9-Port Gigabit Ethernet module: Available in Q1CY99.
- 36-port 10/100 Base-TX: Available in December 1998.
-
Share
Editorial contacts