Tolly Group Testing Validates That Force10 TeraScale E-Series Sets Benchmark for Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet Density and Performance

Business Wire, Sept 13, 2004

MILPITAS, Calif. -- The Force10 TeraScale E-Series switch/routers deliver the foremost Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet density, according to independent test results released today from The Tolly Group. During testing, the Force10 TeraScale E1200 achieved 100 percent line-rate throughput across 672 Gigabit and 56 Ten Gigabit Ethernet ports. Based on these results, The Tolly Group named the TeraScale E1200 the "First" Terabit Ethernet switch/router.

The Tolly Group tests also confirm that the Force10 TeraScale E-Series achieves 100 percent line-rate, zero-loss throughput in the following configurations:

--Across 672 Gigabit Ethernet ports at all packet sizes, equating to over 1.34 Terabits per second throughput

--Across 56 Ten Gigabit Ethernet ports at all packet sizes

--While processing 1 billion packets per second

--While handling over 1 million access control lists (ACLs)

--While forwarding IPv6 packets at Gigabit and 10 Gigabit data rates

"The need for greater scalability, performance and network simplicity is driving the demand for high Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet densities, particularly as Gigabit Ethernet is beginning to replace Fast Ethernet," said Kevin Tolly, President/CEO of The Tolly Group. "To date, the Force10 TeraScale E1200 has the highest densities and throughput we have ever tested, earning it Tolly's First & Foremost certification as the First Terabit Ethernet switch/router and for Foremost 10 Gigabit Ethernet Density."

In addition to confirming the performance metrics, The Tolly Group also validated the advanced features of the Force10 TeraScale E-Series. During the tests, the Force10 TeraScale E-Series processed more than one million ACLs with no performance degradation. The Tolly Group also confirmed line-rate IPv6 forwarding at Gigabit and 10 Gigabit rates. The complete report, including testing methodology and results, is available at www.force10networks.com/products/reports.asp.> "Today's independent testing demonstrates that Force10 delivers twice the performance of any of its competitors," said Andrew Feldman, Force10 vice president of marketing. "By combining the industry's highest port densities with leading resiliency and availability features, Force10 has radically reduced the cost of owning and operating Gigabit and 10 Gigabit networks."

The Force10 TeraScale E-Series combines unmatched scalability with best-in-class resiliency to provide a new level of network and application predictability. Leveraging three distinct processing units for switching, routing and management functionality, the Force10 E-Series delivers reliable line-rate Gigabit and 10 Gigabit throughput across all ports regardless of traffic conditions.

About The Tolly Group

The Tolly Group, an independent testing and strategic consulting organization based in Boca Raton, Fla., offers a full range of services designed to furnish both the vendor and end-user communities with authoritative and unbiased information. Additionally, The Tolly Group is recognized worldwide for its expertise in assessing leading-edge technologies. For more information on The Tolly Group's services, visit its Web site at www.tolly.com, E-mail info@tolly.com, call 561-391-5610, or fax 561-391-5810.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is the pioneer in high performance switching and routing. Based on a revolutionary system architecture that delivers best-in-class resiliency and massive scalability, Force10's E-Series switch/routers ensure predictable application performance, increase network availability, and reduce operating costs. Today, many of the world's largest Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks depend on Force10 Networks. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.force10networks.com.

Force10, E-Series, EtherScale, TeraScale and FTOS are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.