Intel moves forward with Gigabit offerings

In a scenario all too familiar to IT managers, users begin complaining of slower response times. Network management tools indicate that a high transaction server is hogging bandwidth in a shared domain or that server CPU utilisation is not optimal - classic symptoms of server bottlenecks.

More and more often, IT managers are turning to Gigabit Ethernet technology to relieve bottlenecks at server connections, switch stacks and other aggregation points. Gigabit Ethernet has been standardised for fibre since 1998 and most recently for Category 5 UTP cabling as 1000Base-Gigabit Ethernet over copper. IT managers have seen the benefits of Gigabit speeds applied to the network backbone and in the data centre. Today, with 1000Base-T, Gigabit speeds can be deployed even more widely throughout the network using standard Category 5 cabling. Terrence de Jager, network product manager at Intel distributor AXiZ, discusses Intel`s latest product contributions to the Gigabit market.

"These new Intel Gigabit Switches (of the 470T/F Switch, the 480T Routing Switch and the NetStructure 6000 Switch) deliver non-blocking switching performance and advanced traffic management features such as 802.1p priority queuing and 802.1Q VLAN support," says De Jager. "They feature an integrated management agent that provides an embedded Web server, SNMP, RMON, and console/telnet capabilities, and they can be managed using Intel Device View."

Intel 470T/F Gigabit Switches

These switches address cost and distance limitations, enabling existing networks to safely and easily adopt next-generation Gigabit technology. The 470 is available either as a fixed-media switch (470F) with eight 1000BASE-SX for fibre optic connections; or as a flexible-media switch (470T) with six 100/1000BASE-T ports for copper and two hot-swappable GBIC ports for fibre.

With this flexibility, networks can migrate to Gigabit switches using already-installed Category 5 copper cabling, saving on costly re-wiring; and, fibre connectivity enables cabling runs of up to 70 km. Intel Gigabit Switches are standards-based for easy integration into existing networks, enabling IT managers to choose best-in-class products.

Non-blocking performance supports bandwidth-intensive network applications, providing Gigabit connectivity to server farms and high-end workstations through a wire-speed switch fabric. The 470T/F Switches enable the delivery of Fast Ethernet down to the desktop, and provide a cost-effective solution for aggregating Fast Ethernet switches and server farms. Link aggregation technology enables faster networks with bigger pipes, supporting up to four trunk groups with up to four ports per group, for resilient, redundant connections.

480T Routing Switch

IP and IPX routing combined with intelligent traffic management enables network administrators to deliver robust QoS capabilities, such as L2/L3/L4 bandwidth shaping for certain classes of traffic, such as streaming media and Voice over IP.

The 480T helps to ensure bandwidth for specific users through traffic shaping based on layer 2, layer 3 or layer 4 traffic profiles. Once these profiles are established, they can be assigned to 802.1p prioritisation queues, offering up to eight priority queues for advanced traffic control. 802.1Q VLAN support allows grouping of like users, which reduces broadcast traffic and enhances security. Standards-based design is extended to management features as well: The 480T switch integrates an embedded Web server, SNMP, RMON, console/telnet capabilities, and Intel Device View management.

Netstructure 6000 Switch

The 6000 switch packages high performance, multi-layer Gigabit switching in a 6 RU high chassis for use in high traffic aggregating areas. Fault tolerance, redundancy and resiliency provide the reliability needed to support mission-critical applications.

With a forwarding rate of over 41M pps, the 6000 switch provides high performance Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching. The 6000 switching modules are engineered with bus connections to a 40Gbps crossbar switching matrix for inter-blade traffic to maintain the highest throughput across the network.

Four slots are available for media modules, providing support for up to 32 1000BASE-SX Gigabit Ethernet ports or up to 96 10BASE-T Ethernet/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet ports in a compact chassis. Available media modules include an 8-port 1000BASE-SX Gigabit Ethernet Module, 24-port 10BASE-T Ethernet/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet Module, and 4-port 1000BASE-SX + 4-port 1000BASE-LX Module.

The Intel NetStructure 6000 switch was designed for increased uptime to keep the network running. Up to three load-sharing, hot swappable power supplies with individual power connections divide the power demand for higher reliability and can individually be replaced without bringing the switch down. Redundant, hot swappable control processors with automatic fail over and hot swappable media modules maintain network operations during service of these key components.

"Intel intends to continue the same commitment to Gigabit Ethernet solutions as it has demonstrated with emerging Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet," says De Jager. "This commitment will be extended as needed to other high-bandwidth networking products, in order to provide complete, cost-effective solutions from the desktop to the backbone."