N + I: Alcatel targets enterprises with carrier-class switches

LAS VEGAS--

Alcatel joined the ranks of companies more closely associated with the carrier space that are making a move into the enterprise sector by unveiling its OmniSwitch 7000 series of data infrastructure switches to the U.S. market this week at Networld + Interop.

Also this week, carriers SBC Communications and Sprint introduced products and service offerings for enterprises that signaled a more intense focus on the sector.

Alcatel said the switches, previously unveiled in Europe in February, provide carrier-class functionality, including full redundancy and resiliency. A key feature is an embedded load balancing, which reduces costs for enterprises because it eliminates the need for hardware and software licenses that often make load balancing cost-prohibitive.

Two switches comprise the OmniSwitch product line. The 7700 is a 10-slot modular chassis with a fabric capacity of 64 GB/s and a throughput of 30 million packets per second (Mpps). The 7800 is an 18-slot modular chassis with a fabric capacity of 128 GB/s and throughput of 60 Mpps. Both are designed for continuous operation--with two center slots dedicated to management modules in a redundant configuration--offer wire speed intelligent switching and routing and are 10 gigabit Ethernet ready, according to Alcatel.

An Alcatel spokesman said the switches are currently in beta testing with a major enterprise customer and would be available for delivery starting next month. Though the switches are being targeted primarily for the enterprise market, the spokesman said Alcatel would also market them to the carrier sector.

--Glenn Bischoff, Senior Writer