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Greenfield Networks Delivers Industry's First IPv6 and MPLS Gigabit Ethernet Fixed Configuration Switch

Posted on: Monday, 26 April 2004, 06:00 CDT

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenfield Networks, the emerging leader in world-class Ethernet switch silicon technology, today announced the GH3032, the industry's first IPv6 and MPLS Gigabit Ethernet fixed configuration switch, a complete 32-port Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2/3/4 reference design for enterprise aggregation and metro applications.

The GH3032 reference platform delivers on the promise of the Packetry(TM) architecture to bring full hardware-based IPv6 routing, MPLS and Layer 2/3 VPN services in addition to standard layer 2 switching and IPv4 routing to Ethernet switches. The industry-standard 19-inch, 1RU platform provides system developers with a complete evaluation system to reduce development cycle time and quickly launch an enterprise class, IPv6-enabled aggregation system or metro edge switch for service provider networks.

"I'm impressed with the Packetry architecture -- the breadth of service capability in merchant silicon is definitely a first for the industry," said Michael Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics Research (San Jose, CA). "The GH3032 routing switch appears to be the densest Gigabit Ethernet solution in an aggregation box, and the IPv6, MPLS and VPN support makes it an attractive solution for a wide range of enterprise and metro applications."

The GH3032 also features extensive Quality of Service features -- including large and scalable packet classification tables, per port or flow rate limiting and per queue traffic shaping. The GH3032 supports up to 1024 queues, which may be flexibly allocated to the 32 ports, allowing fine grain control over the bandwidth provided to flows or traffic classes.

The GH3032 also supports advanced and scalable access control list (ACL) capabilities that help secure and segment sensitive traffic or network access. The GH3032 enables configuring classification or filtering policies based on layer 2/3/4 packet headers.

The GH3032 delivers wire-speed switching performance with a maximum forwarding rate of 48 Mpps. The platform features 32 copper Gigabit Ethernet ports and four combo fiber SFP slots. The GH3032 supports protocol stack software from multiple third party software vendors, supporting a variety of layer 2 and layer 3 protocols such as STP, RIP, OSPF, BGP and PIM. In addition, the GH3032 supports a variety of IPv6 routing protocols such as RIPng and OSPFv3 as well as MPLS protocols such as LDP.

"The Packetry switch API was designed to present a completely hardware independent, functional interface to control plane software," said Richard Heaton, vice president, software engineering and co-founder of Greenfield Networks. "This enables system developers to rapidly port their software to the Packetry family, shortening development and testing schedules resulting in faster time-to-market."

The GH3032 reference design platform is available today. To enable customers to quickly bring their systems to market, the GH3032 is provided with the Packetry switch API running either WindRiver VxWorks(TM) or Linux. In addition, advanced Layer 2/3/4 control plane software from LVL7 and IP Infusion is tested and verified.

Networld + Interop

Greenfield Networks will be demonstrating its Packetry products and reference design systems during the week of May 10-13 in a suite at the Las Vegas Hilton, in conjunction with Networld + Interop at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Customers or media interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Greenfield Networks.

About Greenfield Networks

Greenfield Networks is the emerging leader in world-class Ethernet switch silicon technology. Based on its innovative Packetry(TM) architecture, Greenfield delivers flexible, feature-rich, high performance solutions for Enterprise and Metro applications. For more information, visit the company at http://www.greenfieldnetworks.com/.

NOTE: Greenfield Networks and Packetry are registered trademarks of Greenfield Networks. Third party marks and brands are the property of their respective holders.

Greenfield Networks

CONTACT: Tony Hsu of Greenfield Networks, +1-408-720-4256, ortonyh@greenfieldnetworks.com; or Tim Helms of Helms Communications,+1-925-606-6936, or timhelms@comcast.net, for Greenfield Networks

Web site: http://www.greenfieldnetworks.com/

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