Packet processors take Gigabit Ethernet to SMEs

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team May 8, 2003

Marvell is extending its Gigabit Ethernet switch offerings to the small- to medium-size enterprise market with unmanaged 24-, 16- and 8-port single-chip Prestera-DX GbE packet processors.

Marvell is extending its Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch offerings to the small- to medium-size business (SMB) market with unmanaged 24-, 16- and 8-port single-chip Prestera-DX GbE packet processors.

With Prestera-DX-based Gigabit switching solutions, IT managers can implement high-performance, feature-rich and cost-effective switches that not only meet today's SMB market needs but also provide a scalable platform for future requirements.

The Prestera-DX family of packet processors offers new levels of integration and performance targeted at desktop GbE switches for simple networks in the small and medium enterprise environment.

The Prestera-DX devices achieve nonblocking performance and high integration by combining all of the Gigabit MACs, the packet buffer memory, a powerful switch engine, and serdes in each port into a single chip.

The Prestera-DX family of switches provides highly reliable and cost-effective, end-to-end GbE switching solutions that can effectively scale to the network growth requirements for data/voice/video traffic in small and medium businesses.

The Prestera-DX devices provide a cost-effective speed upgrade for the rapid adoption of Gigabit connectivity in small enterprise switches.

The Prestera-DX switching solutions are designed to enable users to share a single Intranet connection in conference room settings, training centers and application labs.

The Prestera-DX devices support enterprise-class quality of service (QoS) features, meeting demanding network requirements for Voice-over-IP telephony and multimedia at Gigabit speeds.

In addition, with the Company's Virtual Cable Tester (VCT) technology from its market-leading Alaska PHY products, the Prestera-DX-based switches allow IT managers to determine the location of cable opens, shorts and impedance mismatch, reducing costly phone calls to equipment manufacturers' support centres.

"Marvell's goal is to make Gigabit connectivity easier and more affordable for the fast growing SMB networks", said Tony Hsu, Marvell's Sr Product Manager for the Prestera Enterprise Switches.

"Until recently, only 10/100Mbit/s (Fast Ethernet) switching products have been available for desktop connectivity in the SMB market, but with the introduction of the new Prestera-DX GbE switches, customers can now get plug-and-play, unmanaged, small form factor switches with GbE speed and price points aimed at accelerating Gigabit to the desktop".