Force10 Networks Chief Scientist Highlights Path to 100 Gigabit Ethernet.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- System and component vendors must align their visions with the needs of users such as service and content providers as well as Internet exchanges to ensure the timely development of the next generation of Ethernet technology, Joel Goergen, vice president of technology and chief scientist at Force10 Networks(R) said yesterday at the Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) Roadmap Forum.

"There is no one killer app driving demand for 100 Gig, but rather it is a shift in the way people are interacting with the Internet," said Goergen. "The Internet has effectively become the common connection point for our culture with everything from IPTV and do-it-yourself videos to social networking and telephone calls now traversing the infrastructure, generating an exponential increase in traffic."

According to industry analyst firm Current Analysis, Gigabit Ethernet access links and 10 Gigabit Ethernet network and interconnect trunks are the cornerstones of most next generation broadband infrastructures. The growth of IPTV, triple play and other media-rich applications is driving demand for greater bandwidth. Today, service and content providers as well as Internet exchanges are already aggregating as many as eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet links to assuage bandwidth demand. While link aggregation is a sufficient temporary solution, the management and operational inefficiencies make it necessary to move to the next generation of Ethernet.

"While it has become obvious that the industry will need 100 Gigabit Ethernet in the not-too-distant future, how to best get there is less clear," said Goergen. "The technical challenges of developing not only a standard but also the equipment that supports the standard requires tight integration within the industry where everyone is working to the same goals."

In July, the IEEE 802.3 Working Group voted to form a high speed study group that will begin to plan for the next generation of Ethernet technology. Reflecting a general consensus between service and content providers, Internet exchanges, and systems and components vendors on the need for a higher bandwidth solution, the vote will enable the group to begin laying the technical groundwork for specifying the next generation of Ethernet technology.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is the pioneer in building and securing high performance networks. Based on a revolutionary system architecture that delivers best-in-class resiliency and massive scalability, Force10's TeraScale 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 www.force10networks.com.

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