Force10 Networks TeraScale E-Series Anchors New Service Provider Networks With Resilient 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

MILPITAS, Calif. -- Force10 Networks(R), a pioneer in building and securing high performance networks, today announced that service providers around the world are increasingly deploying the TeraScale E-Series(R) to build out cost-effective, reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks. By combining the flexibility of Ethernet with the robust, carrier-class features typically associated with core routers, the Force10 TeraScale E-Series is transforming the economics of the service provider network.

"The demand from our service provider customers for multiple 10 Gigabit Ethernet links is significantly increasing the traffic on our network exchange platform, continuing a trend that started several years ago," said Lane Patterson, chief technologist at Equinix, Inc., the leading global provider of network-neutral data centers and Internet exchange services. "To keep operational costs inline and ensure that we could scale with demand, Ethernet was the only option. The Force10 E-Series gives us both the density and resiliency we need to provide our service provider customers with the quality service they have come to expect from Equinix."

The Force10 TeraScale E-Series combines the Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet density and cost advantages of traditional Layer 2 switches with the resiliency and robust Layer 3 peering functionality of typical routers. This unique combination enables service providers to adopt a more cost-effective Ethernet-based core network without compromising carrier-class resiliency.

"To provide high speed hosting services throughout Europe, we require a stable and resilient high performance network," said Vincent Houwert, CEO at True, a Netherlands-based hosting provider that maintains a 20 Gigabit per second link with the Amsterdam Internet Exchange. "With the Force10 E-Series we can establish stable peering relationships at a fraction of what it would typically cost as well as deliver the Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet services our customers require all from the same system."

As traffic on the network increases and profit margins shrink, the service provider ecosystem, including hosting and content providers, Internet exchanges and IP transit carriers, is increasingly turning to 10 Gigabit Ethernet as a more cost-effective alternative to traditional legacy technologies. With leading Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet densities and core-like resiliency, the Force10 TeraScale E-Series enables service providers to gain the cost and management efficiencies of Ethernet as well as seamless scalability in new network deployments.

"New applications and demands from users for greater bandwidth are requiring us to expand the capacity of our network without compromising the carrier-class resiliency and reliability of it," said Kim Hyun Chan, general manager of the Network Technology Unit, backbone network team at Hanaro Telecom. "The Force10 E-Series combines the pricing advantages of Ethernet with features typically found only in core routers, providing a solid and cost-effective foundation on which we can expand our network to better serve our customers."

While the service provider ecosystem is increasingly adopting 10 Gigabit Ethernet as a cost-effective and scalable replacement of legacy technologies, existing networks rely predominantly on SONET/SDH technology. To enable the transition from these networks to 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Force10 today introduced a 4-port multi-rate OC-3c/OC-12c/OC-48c packet over SONET/SDH line card that allows service providers to select between speeds on a per port basis. For additional information, please visit www.force10networks.com/products/linecards.asp.

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.

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