Extreme Networks (News - Alert) today introduced the BlackDiamond 20808 metro Ethernet transport switch, the flagship in its service provider product portfolio. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is the first purpose-built metro Ethernet transport switch, delivering the industry-leading combination of value, scale and performance for converged packet transport.

 

"Extreme Networks Black Diamond 20808 switch is changing the game for Ethernet transport in the metro with the right combination of density and scale," said Eve Griliches, Program Director for IDC's (News - Alert) telecom equipment group. "This is a terrific introduction for Extreme Networks." IDC's Product Flash on the announcement notes that they expect the Carrier Ethernet routing and switching market to reach well over $7.6 billion with a 5-year CAGR of 17.5 percent by 2012.

 

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch raises the bar for scaling metro Ethernet transport networks with the highest slot capacity in the industry -- 120 Gbps per slot in an 8-slot system delivering 2 Tbps of switching capacity.

 

This uncompared slot capacity results in outstanding 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) port-density, with up to 64 10 GE ports per chassis and 192 10 GE ports per rack. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch fabric provides ample capacity for future high density, line-rate 40 GE and 100 GE line-card upgrades.

 

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is designed for metro Ethernet transport networks, the culmination of over 10 years of Ethernet system design experience forged into Extreme Networks' fifth generation solution. The BlackDiamond 20808 architecture is optimized for metro Ethernet performance with fully distributed network processors that deliver line rate performance for a broad range of industry standard and emerging protocols.

 

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch reduces the total cost of ownership for metro Ethernet transport by slashing capital expenditures while minimizing operational expenditures. With a list price of under $5,800 per 10 GE port the BlackDiamond 20808 switch provides a dramatic reduction in provider capital expenditures.

 

Compared to the router-based metro architectures which require complex provisioning by highly trained engineers, operational expenses are reduced with the BlackDiamond 20808 switch thanks to the operational simplicity of Layer 2 solutions. With a scalable metro Ethernet transport network capable of carrying more services at a lower cost, the BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables increased carrier profitability.

 

"In order to drive better profitability, service providers are looking to increase the average revenue per user while lowering the cost of delivering services," said Peter Lunk, Senior Director of Service Provider Marketing, Extreme Networks. "In order to do that, they need an alternative to the complex and costly model of extending MPLS to the edge. Ethernet transport is the clear choice for economical metro packet delivery and the BlackDiamond 20808 switch at the metro core offers the right mix of value, capacity, scalability and protocols to deliver more profitable business, residential and mobile backhaul services."