ZNYX Networks Gigabit Ethernet switches now shipping

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, August 25, 2003

OpenArchitect(TM) and OpenArchitect/HA(TM) Now Available on the Intel(R) NetStructure(TM) ZT 8102 and the ZNYX(R) ZX4800P SWITCHES

ZNYX Networks, a provider of embedded high-availability Ethernet for CarrierClass(TM) systems, announced today that it is shipping the newly-released Intel(R) NetStructure(TM) ZT 8102 switch which delivers 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports in a CompactPCI 2.16 form factor. ZNYX Networks also announced immediate availability of the ZX4800P--a version of the Intel NetStructure switch that is customized to meet specific needs of an OEM.

The switches use the ZNYX Networks developed OpenArchitect for managed switches as the control plane software environment. In addition, OpenArchitect/HA--the high availability add-on product for dual switch chassis--is immediately available.

"OpenArchitect/HA goes beyond the five nines (99.999%) high availability requirement of the telecommunication industry. It delivers an industry leading Network Service Continuity solution," said Alan Deikman, Chief Technical Officer for ZNYX Networks. "Ethernet switching hardware failures are handled without interruption to application services. With application density within the next generation of network equipment chassis approaching 100,000 or more revenue generating application streams, this transparent hardware is critical. Any other option leading to service interruption is just too costly."

"The OpenArchitect control plane software combined with the ZT 8102 and ZX4800P switches provides profit generating flexibility for the OEMs developing next generation Internet and voice-communications networks," said Connie Austin, president and CEO of ZNYX Networks. "OpenArchitect is a powerful, extensible environment that enhances the OEM's ability to innovate value-added products. The ZT 8102 delivers an attractive off-the-self price point while the ZX4800 enables additional customization options. And, our comprehensive hardware and software Professional Services capabilities enable the OEM to shorten the critical product realization timeframe."

The ZT 8102 and ZX4800P switches deliver 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports in a standards-based 6U CompactPCI form factor. Optimized for use in 14-node slot systems, the switches are designed to meet the slot, power and cooling budgets of chassis 10U and smaller. Robust IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) support integrates temperature and voltage sensors to insure reliability. In addition, the single chip, 32 Gbps switching fabric enables high-capacity applications, lower power and a non-blocking architecture.

OpenArchitect, the control plane management software for silicon switch fabrics, delivers comprehensive L3 routing capabilities, L4-7 filtering, plus Class-of-Service features. In addition, OpenArchitect offers an extensible Linux API environment capable of supporting open-source, third party or proprietary protocol stacks and routing applications. OpenArchitect/HA, a layered application for dual switch chassis, provides high-speed fault tolerant failover on a switch-to-switch, VLAN-to-VLAN, or port-to-port basis.

The ZNYX Networks Professional Service group helps OEMs leverage the extensive capabilities that OpenArchitect delivers on the ZT 8102 and ZX4800P. Consulting options include development of value-added routing and packet-processing applications for the switches. Also available are collaborative implementation services that serve to shorten the OEM's time-to-market.