Alcatel Switches Offer Software Key for Upgrades

NEW PRODUCT

OmniSwitch 6800L

Alcatel SA

* PRODUCT SUMMARY: Alcatel today plans to introduce two versions ot a corporate-class switch that can be upgraded from 10/100 Ethernet transmission rates to Gigabit Ethernet via software that’s built in but not turned on. The Paris-based company said the stackable OmniSwitch 680OL switches support 24 or 48 ports and are suitable for small data centers or wiring closets at the edges of corporate networks, plus in installations where Gigabit Ethernet speeds to the desktop are desirable. Users can also buy a software key to upgrade to Gigabit Ethernet without needing additional hardware.

* USER EXPERIENCE: Salem State University in Salem, Mass., plans to buy several 680OL switches for use in wiring closets in four buildings, said Brian Helman, the school’s director of networking. Helman said that because he isn’t sure when he will need to turn on the Gigabit Ethernet capability, the software upgrade being offered by Alcatel is a welcome feature. “The software key is good future- proofing,” he said. Salem State started using Alcatel equipment in late 2003 after 3Com Corp. stopped making the switches that the school had been using, Helman said. About two months ago, he bought a standard OmniSwitch 6800, which was introduced in December and supports Gigabit Ethernet rates with 10 Gigabit Ethernet up-links. Helman is using the device to run tape backups for a data center, and he said it’s performing superbly. Helman acknowledged that Alcatel doesn’t have a big presence in the U.S. “They are unknown, which is a little bit of a risk, but choosing them has proven to be correct,” he said. “They’re much more responsive than other vendors.”

Alcatel’s OmniSwitch 6800L

* ANALYST ASSESSMENT: Zeus Kerravala, an analyst at The Yankee Group in Boston, said the 6800L’s software upgrade capability is a “truly unique” feature. “It offers flexibility for people not sure when to upgrade to 1 Gigabit,” he said. The 680OL also is less expensive than the similarsize Catalyst 3750 switch from Cisco Systems Inc., according to both Alcatel and Kerravala. But Kerravala questioned how well the products will be received by U.S.-based users. “Alcatel’s problem is they have no brand recognition in the U.S.,” he said. “They’re mainly known as a French company that makes carrier-class equipment.”

* OTHER VENDORS IN THIS MARKET: Cisco, Extreme Networks Inc. and Foundry Networks Inc., among others.

* PRICE: Starts at $3,295 for the 24-port switch and $4,795 for the 48-port model. The software key for upgrading to Gigabit Ethernet starts at $2.395.

* AVAILABLE: Now 53532

-Matt Hamblen

Copyright Computerworld Inc. Apr 4, 2005