Intel Announces Advanced Gigabit Ethernet Switches; New Intel NetStructure Products Enable Rich Content to be Transmitted Over Standard Copper Wires - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 24, 2000

Intel Corporation Monday announced four new Gigabit network switch products, including three that can transfer one billion bits (one Gigabit) of information per second over standard copper wiring.

With these new products, Intel is applying its communications technology expertise to switch devices that are capable of supporting the latest e-Business applications and services for Internet and corporate network users.

Two of the three new Intel NetStructure switches, as well as a new switch uplink module, take advantage of widely-deployed Category 5 copper wiring to boost network performance in an easier, more cost-effective manner. Called Gigabit over Copper, this technology provides the performance of Gigabit products based on fiber optic networks while allowing organizations to use their existing Category 5 copper-based infrastructure.

The new switches are part of the Intel NetStructure family of communications products and services, announced in February. The products target a new category of value-added infrastructure appliances and networking communications equipment for building or improving e-Businesses, and are designed to be easily deployed and to complement companies' existing network and server environment.

"With the rapid growth in network traffic and the acceleration of e-Business operations, companies need higher bandwidth networks in order to stay competitive," said Brett Helm, general manager of Intel's Network Equipment Division. "Intel's objective is to deliver the technology our customers require to help them expand their e-Business operations."

The new switches include: -- The Intel NetStructure 470T Switch and Intel NetStructure 470F Switch, Intel's next-generation entry-level Gigabit switches. The 470T, with six 100/1000BASE-T Copper ports and two GBIC ports, and the 470F, with eight 1000BASE-SX ports, are cost effective Layer 2 solutions for aggregating workgroup switches and e-Business servers. Both switches deliver Quality of Service (QoS) features for intelligent control of data center and workgroup traffic. The 470T also offers maximum media flexibility to address cost and distance limitations.

-- The Intel NetStructure 480T Routing Switch, an intelligent data center Gigabit switch that provides controlled bandwidth for demanding e-Business applications.

The 480T cost-effectively aggregates server farms, campus switches and desktop switches in a high-density Layer 3 switch with 12 100/1000BASE-T Copper ports and four GBIC ports. The feature-rich 480T offers advanced Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities such as 802.1p prioritization and bandwidth shaping, a variety of management capabilities and maximum media flexibility. An optional software upgrade adds support for advanced Layer 3 routing features such as OSPF; IPX routing; as well as DVMRP and PIM multicast routing to optimize video streaming on the network.

Intel also introduced an uplink module to enable Intel Express 460T Standalone Switches to link to servers or backbones using Gigabit over copper technology. With auto-sensing support for 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T networks, the 460T module can help ease migration to Gigabit Ethernet. The module supports all features of the Express 460T Standalone Switch, including 802.1Q Virtual LANs (VLANs), link aggregation and 802.1p prioritization.

The new Intel NetStructure Gigabit switches and the uplink module are compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards for greater interoperability and seamless integrated operation on a network.

Pricing and Availability All Intel networking and communications products are available worldwide through a network of distributors and value-added resellers. Additional product information is available at (800) 538-3373 for U.S. and Canadian customers; (44) 1-793-431-155 for European customers; or (503) 264-7354 for other international customers. Prices for the new products are as follows:

Product                 Product Code    List Price    Projected
                        Availability

Gigabit over
Copper Module
for Intel
Express 460T Standalone    ES460MT       $699       April 24, 2000
Switches

Intel
NetStructure
470F switch                ES470F        $7495      May 23, 2000

Intel
NetStructure
470T switch                ES470T        $3995      May 23, 2000

Intel
NetStructure
480T routing switch        ES480TR       $10995     June 2000

Intel
NetStructure
480T routing switch
(dual power supply)        ES480TRD      $12295     June 2000

Advanced Layer 3 upgrade
for Intel
NetStructure
480T Routing Switch        ES480TRU      $5995      June 2000

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.