Intel Corporation today announced that its next-generation Gigabit Ethernet server and desktop adapters for networks using common copper wires are now available.
In addition, Intel announced it is now sampling a third-generation Gigabit Ethernet server adapter for networks using fibre optic cables. Intel and Cisco will now jointly start driving their marketing agreement in EMEA to help accelerate Gigabit Ethernet network deployments.
Intel`s Gigabit Ethernet adapters allow data to travel over a network at 1 billion bits per second (or 1 000Mbps) and help solve network bottlenecks created by bandwidth-intensive applications, such as data warehousing, IP storage and video streaming.
"By deploying Gigabit Ethernet products, organisations can enjoy a tenfold increase in network bandwidth for nearly the same cost, when compared to Fast Ethernet networks," says Eli Salant, corporate account manager - wireless, Intel SA. "We expect Intel`s new adapters to help accelerate the deployment of Gigabit Ethernet by providing customers an easy upgrade path without the need to replace existing copper cables"
According to Cahners In-Stat, the Gigabit Ethernet adapter market segment grew at 287% in 2000, with Intel increasing its position as the worldwide leader to 48% market segment share. The overall Gigabit Ethernet adapter market segment is forecast to grow from $168 million in 2001 to $1.7 billion in 2005. Both the Intel PRO/1000 T Desktop Adapter and the Intel PRO/1000 XT Server Adapter feature advanced auto-negotiation and auto-sensing technology.
With this technology, IT managers can deploy adapters into existing Category 5 Ethernet (10Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) networks. As the network infrastructure evolves, the adapters will automatically adjust performance to higher Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) speeds without additional configuration.
The Intel PRO/1000 XT Server adapter and the Intel PRO/1000 XF Server Adapter for fibre optic networks, which is now sampling, support the PCI-X bus providing faster and more efficient networking. PCI-X is a new bus architecture allowing servers to transfer data faster within systems and helping to alleviate communication bottlenecks and improve the overall performance of the network.
All of Intel`s Gigabit Ethernet adapters utilise the Intel Advanced Network Services software. This software is included at no additional charge with the adapters and provides support for fault tolerance, adaptive load balancing, International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3ad-compliant Link Aggregation, Fast EtherChannel and Gigabit EtherChannel.
These utilities help improve the uptime of servers and remove server bottlenecks. Intel`s adapters also support a broad range of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Linux, Novell Netware, SunSoft Solaris and SCO UnixWare. The Intel PRO/1000 T Desktop Adapter and the Intel PRO/1000 XT Server Adapter are now available for the suggested retail price of $99 and $179 per pack of 20, respectively. The Intel PRO/1000 XF Server Adapter will be available later this year.
Intel and Cisco to drive Gigabit Ethernet network deployments Also today, Intel and Cisco will start driving the earlier announced joint marketing agreement to help accelerate Gigabit Ethernet network deployments in EMEA. With both companies sharing a common vision of pervasive bandwidth, Cisco and Intel`s agreement is designed to help ease network migrations for mid-market and enterprise organisations, accelerating the extension of Ethernet to Gigabit speed for server connectivity and copper-based networks that were previously constrained to 100Mbps.
Following the agreement, Cisco and Intel will make it easier for customers to purchase Gigabit Ethernet products by enabling distributors to offer a combined solution of Cisco switches and Intel gigabit network adapters. In addition, the companies have also developed an enhanced, integrated service and support process for customers and are actively engaging in a series of new sales, marketing and training initiatives to help customers and partners benefit from the added performance of Gigabit Ethernet. As a first initiative, the new EMEA Web site, http://www.eu.gigabitsolution.com will go live today.
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