http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/ en-gb Fri, 17 Aug 2012 8:00:04 BST Copyright: (C) Comms Express 2007 http://www.comms-express.com/images/logo.jpg http://www.comms-express.com/ Cisco switches can be used to build resilient and flexible data centre networks, it has been suggested.

According to the firm, the switches promote infrastructure scalability, operational continuity and transport flexibility.

"[Our] switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes," the company claimed.

A variety of data centre switches are available across the firm's Nexus and Catalyst ranges.

Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches are described as being "ideal for collapsed data centre campus core deployments".

And Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches are designed to increase agility with faster, more pervasive data centre virtualisation, and enhance business through greater operational continuity.

The firm says its Catalyst 6500 Series switches help simplify operations, reduce network costs, and maximise existing investments.

Cisco said the switches are ideal for campus core and distribution, and for data centre customers looking to deploy integrated service modules.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco systems on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-switches-support-data-centre-networks-801421836/ 2012-08-03 13:32:44 Netgear has launched a new wireless booster device, designed to strengthen and extend an existing signal in the home.

The network solutions provider's Wi-Fi Booster for Mobile (WN1000RP) is designed to amplify wireless coverage for people using mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones and e-readers.

Netgear noted that consumers are leveraging Wi-Fi connectivity at home "more than ever before" to browse the web, stream movies and play online games on their devices.

And using the new Wi-Fi Booster, they are able to move around freely throughout the house - and even in the back garden - without losing their connection when they stray further from the router.

The new solution is also designed to help consumers reduce the risk of unforeseen mobile data plan charges by easily accessing their home Wi-Fi networks instead of the carrier’s mobile networks.

The Wi-Fi Booster repeats a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal from existing routers and gateways to boost range and Wi-Fi performance.

It has a small form factor and is simple to install with a mobile-friendly browser-based setup and real-time LED indicators helping to determine optimal placement.

“Consumers today want the best connected experience, complete with the ability to enjoy online entertainment on their Wi-Fi connected mobile devices throughout the home,” said Damir Skripic, product line manager for connected entertainment at Netgear.

“The Netgear Wi-Fi Booster for Mobile enables this experience by significantly increasing coverage in the home, which is ideal for roaming iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, Kindle e-readers, smartphones or any other mobile Wi-Fi devices.”

Earlier this year, research conducted by Chetan Sharma revealed that 90 per cent of tablet owners prefer to use Wi-Fi rather than mobile plans to access the internet at home.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for networking equipment on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-wi-fi-booster-improves-internet-connectivity-for-mobiles-801420063/ 2012-08-01 14:23:55 Cisco 300 Series Switches represent the ideal solution for small and medium-sized enterprises, it is claimed.

According to the networking giant, the switch solutions deliver the ideal combination of price, performance, and capabilities in a solution designed specifically for small businesses.

Cisco says its "broad portfolio" of affordable, managed switches provide a powerful foundation to support business networks.

The 300 Series offers high performance and reliability, with firms able to support vital business applications while reducing downtime, the firm notes.

Users can also use advanced features to control network traffic with advanced features such as quality of service, Layer 3 static routing and IPv6 support.

Cisco says the solutions are easy to set up and manage, with users benefiting from intuitive browser-based tools, mass deployment capabilities, and consistent features across all models.

These help simplify set up and configuration, optimising the user experience.

"Switches optimise power usage for energy efficiency without compromising performance," Cisco notes, explaining that the series offers an eco-friendly solution.

"Power-saving technology allows switches to enter sleep mode, turn off unused ports, and adjust power as needed."

Cisco explains that all 300 Series Switches are protected for the life of the product by the Cisco Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty.

This includes next-business-day advance replacement, free software fixes for the term of warranty, and one-year technical support to protect networking investment.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-300-series-switches-designed-for-small-firms-801418819/ 2012-07-31 12:08:00
According to the latest forecast from analyst firm Ovum, the market should see 4.4 per cent growth between July and December 2012, following a flat first six months of the year.

This will see the value of the market reach $15.4 billion (£9.92 billion), the company said.

David Krozier, principal analyst for network infrastructure at Ovum, said demand for switches and routers is expected to increase in a number of regions.

“SPSR carrier spending in North America and South & Central America will remain healthy, and the Asia-Pacific market will pick up as 2012 progresses," he predicted.

"While the Southern European economies are a concern, Eastern Europe and Middle East & Africa provide reasons for optimism in carrier spending."

News provided by Comms Express, number one for networking equipment on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/ovum-expects-service-provider-switching-and-routing-growth-801414053/ 2012-07-24 14:30:11 Cisco 200 Series smart switches offer a number of benefits for UK businesses, it has been claimed.

According to Cisco, the US networking giant, the small business switches combine powerful network performance and reliability to build a basic business network.

"These entry-level managed switches deliver the essential network features you need, with the easy-to-use management you want at a great price," Cisco stated.

The solutions allow companies to achieve a business-class network with important features like quality of service, Power over Ethernet and IPv6 support.

They help remove complexity from the setup process using a browser-based configuration interface, the firm added.

In terms of performance, businesses can get their high-bandwidth data where it needs to go, quickly and without errors, Cisco stated.

The 200 Series smart switches also keep data on business networks safe from unauthorised access, it added.

"Use switches to optimise power usage for energy efficiency without compromising performance," Cisco urged.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco systems on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-200-series-smart-switches-help-small-firms-801411041/ 2012-07-19 13:59:21 Cisco switches will be used to support a prominent Spanish cloud computing service, it has been reported.

According to the networking giant, Nexica will use Cisco Nexus switches and the Cisco Unified Computing System to offer businesses a complete range of infrastructure services.

This will provide businesses with benefits such as decreased operational costs, lower risk, increased reliability and improved management of resources.

Nexica - a managed IT solutions provider - provides web access to a wide range of technological resources including processing power, memory, storage, network, load balancing, intelligent caching and backup.

Using the firm's cloud platform, these services can be provided quickly, scaled and used on-demand.

The infrastructure is supported by Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches, which provide complete ten Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for all chassis and blades, reducing cabling by up to 50 per cent.

This also supports the transport of multiple network protocols and storage using a single structure.

Jordi Mas, managing director of Nexica, said that using the firm's services, customers not only have access to all the required functionality, they can pay only for what they need and avoid worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

They can also be sure of maximum levels of availability, confidentiality and security guaranteed through service level agreements, he stated.

Jesús Mansilla, small and medium-sized business director for Cisco Spain, said that to optimise productivity and competitiveness, medium-sized businesses need access to the same technological resources as large businesses.

However, they need them in a simplified, flexible and cost-effective form, he noted.

"This is now a reality thanks to Nexica experience and Cisco technology," Mr Mansilla stated.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco systems on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-switches-support-nexica-cloud-services-801404167/ 2012-07-10 14:09:20 Netgear Prosafe switches can help business cope with increased network demands, as firms put more applications on their Ethernet infrastructure.

Companies seeking easy to use visibility and limited configuration capabilities can use the solutions to meet their networking needs.

They are able to use the switches to monitor internet traffic and observe user behaviour, while ProSafe Plus also enables firms to run cable diagnostic tests.

"To optimize traffic through the switches, ProSafe Plus Switches offer both port and tag-based prioritisation to keep latency-sensitive traffic moving ahead of less critical packets," Netgear stated.

"ProSafe Plus Switches offer these monitoring and configuration capabilities at a slight cost premium over unmanaged switches, delivering great value to the end user."

Other features of the Netgear switches include five ports delivering up to 2,000Mbps bi-directional bandwidth on each port, Virtual LAN support for network segmentation and security, port mirroring, and broadcast storm control.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network equipment on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-prosafe-increases-network-control-801403186/ 2012-07-09 13:32:50 value switches.

The solutions can be used to meet a range of business networking needs, ensuring all IT users have access to the technology tools they require to do their jobs properly.

The switches are available in desktop and rackmount versions, giving companies additional flexibility depending on their own individual needs.

And at affordable prices, there is no need to break the bank when seeking faster network speeds.

Companies can choose from 8-Port, 16-Port and 24-Port Gigabit switches, which can help improve the performance of offices and workgroup networks.

A further option - the 24 Port Gigabit Slimline Switch - offers a solution that requires no switch management for office environments demanding silent operation and green technology.

As well as environmental efficiency, the device provides plug-and-play simplicity for high-bandwidth connectivity.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for networking news on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/businesses-have-gigabit-value-switch-options-801400419/ 2012-07-04 14:34:36 Netgear WNDR4500 is "a high-performance router" for wired internet users, it has been claimed.

According to an Xbit Laboratories review, the router offers direct connection speeds of up to 600Mbps, which is higher than Netgear's previous models.

However, the news provider noted that the user requires a Gigabit internet connection in order to take advantage of such speeds.

"If connected to a 100Mbps channel, the router’s resources can be allotted to the USB disk related applications, though," it noted.

The Netgear WNDR4500 is also a good option for wireless broadband users, Xbit Laboratories suggested.

It noted that the router offers two access points, one in each frequency band, and high performance can be expected.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear routers on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-wndr4500-router-is-high-performance-801394843/ 2012-06-27 15:24:00 switches within the data centre is a task well worth carrying out, it has been claimed.

Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) has recently upgraded a significant chunk of its data centre infrastructure to take advantage of virtualisation techniques, reports Computerworld.

The firm deployed Ethernet switches from a single manufacturer, replacing the existing patchwork of product from different vendors, and the organisation is reaping the benefits.

Brenden Bryan, senior manager of enterprise architecture at GEHA, said the body now has a high-speed data centre environment with a 20-to-1 ratio of virtual machines to blade hardware.

"I can keep the number of physical servers I have to buy to a minimum and get more utilisation out of them," he stated.

"It enables me to drive the efficiencies out of my storage as well as my computing."

In order to experience the full benefits of virtualisation, GEHA had to upgrade and replace old switches with new switching gear because of the different traffic configuration used in fabrics.

And then the organisation had to re-architect its network and reconnect servers, the news provider stated.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network equipment on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/switches-upgrade-boosts-geha-data-centre-801393565/ 2012-06-26 13:36:01 network equipment has enabled the firm to declare another quarterly dividend to shareholders.

Each company member will receive a payment of $0.08 (£0.05) per common share for the second quarter of the year, the firm's board of directors has announced.

According to Cisco, the dividend will be paid on July 25th 2012 for the three months up to July 5th.

Last quarter, the telecoms giant also declared a dividend of $0.08 per common share for the January to March period, which was paid on April 25th.

The firm said that all future payments to shareholders will be subject to the approval of the board of directors.

Cisco manufactures various solutions, including a variety of collaboration and unified communications tools, routers and network switches.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for networking news on the net  ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-declares-dividend-for-q2-2012-801389129/ 2012-06-20 13:51:28 Netgear has showcased a number of innovative network solutions at the ANGA Cable show in Cologne, Germany.

A number of pieces of network equipment were introduced at the event, including a "groundbreaking" DOCSIS3.0 gateway integrated with 802.11ac wireless technology.

This supports wireless connectivity that is up to three times faster than today’s 802.11n routers - ideal for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Netgear has also demonstrated its 24 x 8 channel bonded DOCSIS/Euro-DOCSIS gateway to support up to 1.2Gbps downstream and 320Mbps upstream data rate.

"Cable operators are increasingly being asked to address two critical challenges - superior wireless connectivity in-home and competition from fibre-to-the-home technologies," noted Netgear senior vice president Michael Clegg.

"[Our] next-generation cable gateway solutions are designed to help our cable operator customers squarely address these challenges."

He said that with 802.11ac now a reality, in-home Wi-Fi connectivity is set for "a quantum leap" and will revolutionise the way we consume content wirelessly.

"Netgear's leadership in the industry, and collaboration with key partners, enables us to introduce the innovative solutions that our cable customers require to successfully meet their subscribers’ expectations," Mr Clegg stated.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear routers on the net ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-showcases-new-products-at-cologne-show-801388077/ 2012-06-19 14:43:22 switch.

Zeptonics believes that its Zeptomux product - a 23-to-1 multiplexing switch - achieves speeds of 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

However, the firm is giving little away as to how it is capable of achieving these speeds.

Speaking to the Register, Zeptonics' founder Matt Hurd claimed that the Zeptomux is "not an ordinary switch".

"It is stripped down and simplified. Client ports cannot talk to one another," he noted.

"We think it is the fastest way to multiplex Ethernet onto one outgoing layer two line.”

Mr Hurd claimed the speed of the network equipment can help traders "get ahead of competitors", suggesting the switch may appeal to those working in the financial services sector.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network tools on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/australian-firm-claims-world-s-fastest-network-switch-801385845/ 2012-06-15 14:13:17 Netgear WNDR4000 router is a feature-packed piece of network equipment, it has been reported.

Writing for Expert Reviews, Andrew Unsworth said the device is "a good way to extend the functionality of your current ADSL or cable router".

"The WNDR4000 provides simultaneous use of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB2 port to which you can connect USB drives," he noted.

"Not only does the WNDR4000 look good, it performs well too, and has a theoretical top speed of 450Mbps using the 5GHz band and 300Mbps using the 2.4GHz band."

He said these speeds are typical of a router at the WNDR4000's price point, but the N600 WNDA3100 Wi-Fi adaptor helps increase speeds dramatically.

Mr Unsworth said the WNDR4000’s web interface provides "plenty of options" for expert users, such as the ability to operate the router as a wireless distribution system base station or repeater.

"The WNDR4000 also has an extremely flexible guest Wi-Fi system," he explained.

"You can either isolate users of the guest account so that they can access the internet only or give them full access to your network, and you can individually tailor guest Wi-Fi for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands."

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-wndr4000-router-is-feature-rich-801383773/ 2012-06-13 13:52:09 Network equipment manufacturer HP will continue to produce PCs, despite falling global sales, it has been reported.

Speaking to AllThingsD's Arik Hesseldahl, HP chief executive Meg Whitman said the company has no plans to pull out of this market.

"As I see it, everything stays. Each of the pieces fit together," she stated.

"They are very big and significant businesses in their own right."

However, Ms Whitman said HP would look to reduce the number of products it sells in the future, in a bid to keep costs down.

"I think you will see a smaller number of products tailored to specific market segments where we can get real supply chain leverage, real inventory leverage, and real parts leverage," she added.

Ms Whitman said it is vital to deliver "better quality at lower cost" and ensure customers see "real benefits" through their dealings with the firm.

Last month, HP announced plans to lay off at least eight per cent of its global workforce, freeing up capital for further investment in the business.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for computer cabinets on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/hp-has-no-plans-to-exit-pc-market-801380513/ 2012-06-08 13:24:28 switch designed to help mobile operators scale up the wired networks their wireless systems feed into.

The high-powered ASR 5500 switch offers ten times the capacity of its predecessor, the ASR 5000.

Cisco calls the new switch a "terabit-speed platform", replacing the ASR 5000's gigabit-scale system, reports Techworld.com.

Murali Nemani, senior director of mobility solutions marketing at the firm, said the solution should help carriers save money when faced with high levels of data demand on their networks.

Cisco's approach allows the switch to reuse the same processing power for both control-plane and data-plane tasks, he stated.

The same switch capacity used for tasks such as policy management can be repurposed for simply moving data through the network, Mr Nemani added.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco switches the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-launches-mobile-aggregation-switch-801379674/ 2012-06-07 15:46:06 Netgear has launched a range of new products which offer access to next-generation high-speed 802.11ac wireless, it has been reported.

The products - two wireless routers and one wireless USB adapter - make 802.11ac Wi-Fi available to laptops and PCs, even before this capability has been built into these systems.

As such, the network equipment provider is helping to meet growing customer needs for better and faster wireless on internet-enabled Wi-Fi devices in the home.

The Netgear R6300 Wi-Fi Router supports combined wireless speeds up to 1,750Mbps, while the Netgear R6200 Wi-Fi Router supports approximate combined Wi-Fi speeds up to 1,200Mbps and has a lower price point.

Both are backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n to provide optimum interoperability with legacy Wi-Fi devices.

David Henry, vice-president of product management, for retail products at Netgear, said the firm has developed the new products to offer "a complete wireless internet ecosystem".

The routers and adapters allow consumers to take full advantage of next-generation Wi-Fi, even with their existing laptop or PC, he noted.

“This visionary product line underscores Netgear's commitment to giving users everything they need to wirelessly access the internet and download content at the absolute fastest speeds possible," Mr Henry stated.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear routers on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-launches-new-routers-for-wi-fi-access-801379671/ 2012-06-07 15:43:50 Network equipment provider HP has vowed to produce an IT architecture for data centres which need no energy.

HP Labs is working on the Net Zero Energy Data Centre concept, as it bids to harness the power of renewables and reduce carbon emissions.

The firm believes it can create carbon neutral data centre solutions, and use analytics and management technology to predict demand and the availability of resources.

According to HP, this can reduce consumption by synchronising demands with energy supply.

For example, workloads would only be carried out when wind or solar energy are available.

Cullen Bash, director of sustainable ecosystems research at HP, said the Net-Zero Energy Data Centre aims to minimise the environmental impact of computing.

"It also has a goal of reducing energy costs associated with data centre operations to extend the reach of IT accessibility globally," he stated.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for HP switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/hp-targets-carbon-neutral-data-centres-801376216/ 2012-05-31 14:16:35 Netgear also offers a range of state-of-the-art switches.

The award-winning company, which is headquartered in San Jose, California, offers both entry-level and higher-level switches for home and business networks.

These include unmanaged desktop switches, rackmount unmanaged switches, smart switches and PoE switches.

Netgear also offers Layer 2 and Layer 3 managed switches and 10G switches to help meet companies' networking needs.

The firm says it delivers "innovative switching solutions" to consumers, businesses and service providers without the cost and complexity of big IT.

"For small to medium organisations, unmanaged, Plus and Smart switch solutions are easy to use and install," Netgear stated.

"For larger enterprise and campus networks, Netgear Fully Managed infrastructures seamlessly connect end-users, converged services, servers and storage across highly flexible core, distribution and access layers."

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/netgear-offers-range-of-network-switches-801376213/ 2012-05-31 14:15:52 network equipment giant Cisco to pull back in the media tablet market comes as little surprise, one commentator has claimed.

Speaking to IT Pro, Larry Walsh, chief executive of analyst group The 2112 Group, said the Cisco Cius' premium price tag has made the device a tough sell.

Earlier this week, the firm announced that it was halting development work on the tablet product.

“You could get a Cius unit for slightly less than an iPad, but it came with a lot of back office equipment and software requirements that drove up the price,” he explained.

Mr Walsh said the fact that the product was designed to work almost exclusively with Cisco’s own offerings also limited its appeal, in a market still dominated by Apple.

“Cius is representative of Cisco trying to remain the end-to-end solution for its customers while simultaneously locking out competitors,” he stated.

Mr Walsh said the problem is that competitors are already well entrenched and the technology is too limited for end users’ needs.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/switches/cisco-tablet-decision-no-surprise-801375051/ 2012-05-30 13:56:32