product information and comparisonPretty informative: List of Plaintree's competitors, etc.
cheers
Layer 3 switches take the fast route.(Product Information)
J.B. MILES
02/19/2001
Government Computer News
Page 32
Copyright 2001 Gale Group Inc. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT 2001 Newsbytes News Network
This class of switches enhances routing technology to avoid bottlenecks and keep your network traffic at maximum speed
In the best of all possible networks, large volumes of data flow from high-end workstations and data centers, and e-mail messages with complex multimedia attachments flit about effortlessly, all without bringing transmissions to a crawl.
That day is coming, as networking technologies improve, but it won't be tomorrow. In the meantime, the best most organizations can afford is a mix of 10-Mbps Ethernet and 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet service to the desktop PC, with one or two Gigabit Ethernet backbone links.
Ethernet has dug in as the world's most popular network topology for good reasons. Using small servers and inexpensive hubs, many organizations can get by with shared 1O-Mbps or 100-Mbps bandwidth to the desktop for noncritical applications such as departmental e-mail.
For more critical applications, 10/100-Mbps Ethernet switches can provide dedicated bandwidth to users at wire speed. Meanwhile, 1-Gpbs Gigabit Ethernet switches can be used effectively to connect high-speed servers or link to network backbones.
This guide features 10/100 Layer 3 Fast Ethernet switches designed mainly to provide dedicated high-speed bandwidth and routing capabilities to multiple workgroups at the edges of large networks.
This category of hardware barely existed a year ago. Limited numbers of Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet switches with a few 10/100Base-T ports were available. But there were very few Layer 310/100 switches for workgroups and small departments.
A growing market
Things are changing. In a search of more than 70 switch manufacturer Web sites, I found 18 companies that make Layer 3 switches targeted to the dedicated 10/100 Fast Ethernet market. Most also make Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet products.
I selected 10/100 switches that come in eight-, 12-, 16- and 24-port configurations for workgroup service. Many of the products listed are modular or stackable, and can provide switching for up to 96 ports. Most also offer one or two optional or built-in slots for Gigabit Ethernet backbone links or 100Base-FX fiber links.
The accompanying chart lists only a sampling of available switches from each manufacturer. Check the companies' Web sites to find other switches in the Layer 3 category; one of them might best meet your requirements.
The real benefits in Layer 3 switches come in the routing of data. Layer 2 switches can deliver dedicated data to any station on the network at wire speeds because they don't have to handle individual data packets and route them to their destinations--that job, by definition, belongs to network routers.
But because most of a LAN's legacy routers are software-based, they can't keep up with Layer 2 switch speeds. Traffic bottlenecks often occur wherever they are installed.
Layer 3 switches bypass this problem by combining the raw throughput speeds of Layer 2 switches with advanced routing technology. They are built around hardware-based, application-specific integrated circuits and specialized switching fabrics, which enable them to handle packet forwarding much faster than can software-based routers.
Most Layer 3 switches employ software protocols running in the background over built-in RISC processors to help them perform routing calculations at similar, lightning speeds.
Some advanced routing protocols, more commonly known by their acronyms, include Routing Information Protocol (RIP and RIP2), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Bootstrap Protocol (BootP), and multicast protocols such as Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP) and Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).
Problem solvers
Layer 3 switches not only overcome slow packet routing, they also alleviate common problems encountered with flat Layer 2 networks, such as broadcast storms and address limitations. As a result, managers can configure and manage large network segments more easily without having to create as many subnets--using traditional routers--as they did in the past.
More of the management capabilities of layers 4 through 7 currently are being built into the newest Layer 3 switches.
Layer 4 is the transport layer of the Open Systems Interconnect model and is used with the other top layers of the OSI model to help prioritize traffic types and allow users to specify applications that should receive high priority For example, a switch with Layer 4 capability could set a lower priority for departmental e-mail than for mission-critical data from a high-end system.
Beside their terrific performance ratings, the best thing about Layer 3 switches is their price relative to other network gear. Per-port Layer 3 switch prices range from a low of about $150 per 10/100 port to $500 or more depending on the features--with one or two Gigabit Ethernet slots often included.
J.B. Miles of Pahoa, Hawaii, writes about communications and computers. E-mail him at jbmiles@gtc.net.
These 19 switches can route a network toward better performance
Vendor Product 10/100 parts
Alcatel USA Inc. OmniStack 6000 Series 24 to 96
Plane, Texas
818-880-3500
www.usa.alcatel.com
Allied Telesyn Inter- Rapier Layer 3 16,24,48
national Corp. Series
Sunnyvale, Calif.
408-730-0950
www.alliedtelesyn.com
Alteon WebSystems ACEdirector 8
San Jose, Calif.
408-360-5500
www.alteonwebsystems.com
Anritsu Co. Multiflow 5024/5048 24 to 32
Richardson, Texas
974-644-1777
www.us.anritsu.com
Cisco Systems Inc. Catalyst 2948G-L3 48
San Jose, Calif.
408-526-4000
www.cisco.com
Compex Inc. SGX8921G Layer3 16
Anaheim. Calif. Routing Switch
714-630-7302
www.compex.com
Digital Networks VNswitch 8 or 16
Andover, Mass. 900CC/CG
877-341-9594
www.dnpg.com
Extreme Networks Inc. Summit24/48 24 or 48
Santa Clara, Calif.
408-579-2800
www.extremenetworks.com
Foundry Networks Inc. Fastiron Workgroup 24
San Jose, Calif. Switch
408-262-5029
www.foundrynet.com
Hewlett-Packard Co. Procurve Routing Switch 8 to 72
Palo Alto, Calif. 9304m
650-857-1501
www.hp.com
Intel Corp. Express 55OT/F Switch 8
Santa Clara, Calif.
408-765-8080
www.intel.com
Lucent Technologies Inc. Cajun P333R 24
Murray Hill, N.J. Routing Switch
800-822-6622
www.avaya.com
Nbaso-Xyplex GFS 3016 16
Chatsworth, Calif.
818-773-0900
www.nbase-xyplex.com
Nortel Networks Corp. Passport 1100 16
Brampton, Ontario Routing Switch
905-863-0000
www.nortelnetworks.com
Plaintree Systems Inc. WaveSwitch 9224 24
Nepean, Ontario
613-274-7979
www.plaintree.com
SMC Networks Inc. TigerSwitch 10/100 16
Irvine, Calif. Model 6716L3
949-707-2400
www.smc.com
Telco Systems Inc. EdgeLink T4 16,24,32
Norwood, Mass.
781-551-0300
www.telco.com
3Com Corp. SuperStack IISwitch N/A
Santa Clara, Calif. Layer 3 Module
408-326-5000
www.3com.com SuperStack II 24
Switch 3800
Vendor VLAN support and Web configuration
Alcatel USA Inc. Stackable; supports up to four Gigabit
Plane, Texas Ethernet or eight FE fiber slots; features
818-880-3500 IP multicast switching, optional ATM support,
www.usa.alcatel.com optional firewall software; allows SMTP and
RMON network management
Allied Telesyn Inter- Features two Gigabit Ethernet slots; VLAN
national Corp. tagging; RIP, RIP2 and OSPF routing; optional
Sunnyvale, Calif. software for IPX and AppleTalk; plug-in cards
408-730-0950 for WAN connectivity, and SNMP, RMON Telnet
www.alliedtelesyn.com and command-line interface for management
Alteon WebSystems Features one Gigabit Ethernet slot; simult-
San Jose, Calif. aneous Layer 2, 3, 4, 7 switching; VLAN
408-360-5500 support; SNMP and RMON management; load
www.alteonwebsystems.com balancing; and Web-based user interface
Anritsu Co. Has two expansion slots on Model 5048 for
Richardson, Texas Gigabit Ethernet; FE fiber or ATM slots; full
974-644-1777 redundancy of all components; load balancing,
www.us.anritsu.com and IP, IPX and AppleTalk routing
Cisco Systems Inc. Has two Gigabit Ethernet slots; RIP and RIP2
San Jose, Calif. routing; VLAN support; quality-of-service
408-526-4000 (QoS) support; SNMP and RMON management, and
www.cisco.com optional redundant power supply
Compex Inc. Has two Gigabit Ethernet slots; VLAN support;
Anaheim, Calif. SNMP and RMON management; Web-based user
714-630-7302 interface, and optional TI/El WAN module
www.compex.com
Digital Networks Has 16 10/100 slots (900CC) or eight 1/100
Andover, Mass. slots and one Gigabit Ethernet slot (900CG);
877-341-9594 flow control; SNMP clearVISN management;
www.dnpg.com VLAN support, and hot-swappable modules
Extreme Networks Inc. Has one Gigabit Ethernet slot; basic and
Santa Clara, Calif. advanced Layer 3 switching with IP and IPX
408-579-2800 protocols; policy-based QoS; fault-
www.extremenetworks.com tolerance; and HTTP, SNMP RMON and command-
line interface management
Foundry Networks Inc. Stackable; has optional Gigabit Ethernet
San Jose, Calif. ports; QoS support; IP multicast support;
408-262-5029 VLAN support; fail-safe support; SNMP and
www.foundrynet.com RMON management, and multiple security
options
Hewlett-Packard Co. Modular, with support for up to 72
Palo Alto, Calif. 10/100 or 32 Gigabit Ethernet slots, or a
650-857-1501 combination; has IP and IPX routing, policy-
www.hp.com based VLAN support, hot-swappable modules
and automatic failover
Intel Corp. Stackable, with copper (Model T) and fiber
Santa Clara. Calif. (Model F) port support; integrated IP and
408-765-8080 IPX routing; QoS support; advanced flow
www.intel.com control; VLAN support, and SNMP, RMON and
Web-based management
Lucent Technologies Inc. Stackable, multilayer IP routing, espansion
Murray Hill, N.J. slot for 16 additional 10/100, two FE fiber
800-822-6622 or two GB Ethernet ports, QoS. RMON support
www.avaya.com
Nbaso-Xyplex Has 6-slot modular chassis with support for
Chatsworth, Calif. up to 62 10/100, 16 Gigabit Ethernet or 32
818-773-0900 FE fiber ports; RIP and RIP 2 routing, and
www.nbase-xyplex.com is pro-configured either as a Layer 2
switch or Layer 3 router
Nortel Networks Corp. Has two field-installable modules for
Brampton, Ontario Gigabit Ethernet or FE fiber ports; IP and
905-863-0000 IPX protocols; MultiLink trunking; IGPM
www.nortelnetworks.com multicast filtering; QoS support; VLAN
support, and a Web-based configuration
Plaintree Systems Inc. Has two optional Gigabit Ethernet or FE
Nepean, Ontario fiber slots; IP routing and IGPM multicast
613-274-7979 filtering; QoS support; VLAN support; SNMP
www.plaintree.com and RMON management;
HTTP HTML and Java support, and selectable
security
SMC Networks Inc. Has two optional FE fiber slots;
Irvine, Calif. flow control; VLAN support; optional
949-707-2400 redundant power unit, and SNMP, RMON and
www.smc.com Telnet management
Telco Systems Inc. Modular and stackable; has optional fiber
Norwood, Mass. or copper ports; one Gigabit Ethernet slot;
781-551-0300 VLAN support; a large variety of interface
www.telco.com modules, and SNMP and RMON management
3Com Corp. Adds Layer 3 routing capabilities to 3Com's
Santa Clara, Calif. SuperStack 11 1100, 3300 and 3300 FX
408-326-5000 switches
www.3com.com Has one or two optional Gigabit Ethernet
slots; RIP and RIP2 routing; flow control;
policy-based VLAN support; user-definable
packet filters; QoS support, and SNMP and
RMON management
Vendor Price
Alcatel USA Inc. $8,045 to
Plane, Texas $9,995
818-880-3500
www.usa.alcatel.com
Allied Telesyn Inter- $2,995 to
national Corp. $6,495
Sunnyvale, Calif.
408-730-0950
www.alliedtelesyn.com
Alteon WebSystems $12,995
San Jose, Calif.
408-360-5500
www.alteonwebsystems.com
Anritsu Co. $9,216 to
Richardson, Texas $15,312
974-644-1777
www.us.anritsu.com
Cisco Systems Inc. $9,995
San Jose, Calif.
408-526-4000
www.cisco.com
Compex Inc. Nw product;
Anaheim, Calif. price not available
714-630-7302
www.compex.com
Digital Networks $5,495
Andover, Mass.
877-341-9594
www.dnpg.com
Extreme Networks Inc. $3,495 to
Santa Clara, Calif. $5,995
408-579-2800
www.extremenetworks.com
Foundry Networks Inc. $3,595
San Jose, Calif.
408-262-5029
www.foundrynet.com
Hewlett-Packard Co. $6,503 up
Palo Alto, Calif.
650-857-1501
www.hp.com
Intel Corp. $3,195 to
Santa Clara, Calif. $7,995
408-765-8080
www.intel.com
Lucent Technologies Inc. $4,775 up
Murray Hill, N.J.
800-822-6622
www.avaya.com
Nbaso-Xyplex $8,495
Chatsworth, Calif.
818-773-0900
www.nbase-xyplex.com
Nortel Networks Corp. $6,690
Brampton, Ontario
905-863-0000
www.nortelnetworks.com
Plaintree Systems Inc. $4,695
Nepean, Ontario
613-274-7979
www.plaintree.com
SMC Networks Inc. $2,800
Irvine, Calif.
949-707-2400
www.smc.com
Telco Systems Inc. $4,592 to
Norwood, Mass. $5,650
781-551-0300
www.telco.com
3Com Corp. $1,300 to
Santa Clara, Calif. $2,000
408-326-5000
www.3com.com $5,000 to
$9,975
The lowdown
What is it? A Layer 3 switch operates at the network layer of the OSI model, combining fast Layer 2 switching with routing functions normally handled by independent, slower routers. 10/100 Fast Ethernet switches provide 10-Mbps Ethernet or l00-Mbps Fast Ethernet service.
What are the benefits? Layer 3 Fast Ethernet switches keep data moving while avoiding bottlenecks. Once installed, an Ethernet topology also provides an easy, inexpensive upgrade path to faster speeds, such as Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet.
What are the drawbacks? The switch market currently is in flux--with buyouts, mergers and takeovers--which could affect your system down the road.
Price? Per-port 10/100 Layer 3 switch prices generally range from about $150 to $500 or more, depending on the features you select.
Must-know info? Layer 3 Fast Ethernet switches provide fast, flexible, scalable and easily managed service at a price that is low compared with the other elements of a network.
Before you buy, make sure these features are standard
Auto-negotiation. A switch should have the ability to negotiate between half-duplex and full-duplex modes. Full-duplex, which allows bi-directional transmission of data, theoretically doubles of the usual throughput--for instance, from 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps.
Auto-sensing, It should be able to determine the speed of attached l0-Mbps or l00-Mbps devices and set port speeds accordingly.
Backup power. Redundant power supplies or uninterruptible power supply devices are provided as options with most Layer 3 switches.
Broadcast traffic control. Broadcast throttling detects excessive packets sent by a failed or improperly configured network device and prevents them from overwhelming the network.
Class of Service. CoS is a standard IEEE 802.ld method for prioritizing various traffic types to allow users to specify high-priority applications. Most Layer 3 switches also support layers 4 through 7 of the OSI model to ensure enhanced traffic control.
Fault tolerance. Dual CPUs, redundant cooling fans and other components can be provided as options for some Layer 3 switches serving in mission-critical operations.
Flow control. By monitoring the port activity, a switch can eliminate dropped packets on congested ports.
Hot-swappabilty. You should be able to swap interface modules holding various port configurations without shutting down the switch.
IP firewall. This feature, often available as a software option on switches, protects your network against intruders coming through the Internet.
Management. Most Layer 3 switches come with proprietary management software based on Simple Network Management Protocol and Remote Management protocols. In most cases, Microsoft Windows and Web-based management interfaces are also provided.
Multicast filtering. This feature allows the automatic configuration of filters for IP multicast traffic, such as video and audio broadcasts. It allows multimedia applications to be efficiently delivered to workgroups.
Multiprotocol support. High-end switches come with options for handling protocols in addition to IP and Novell IPX, such as AppleTalk, IBM SNA and others.
Policy-based broadcast management. The ability to broadcast according to specific user-defined domains, such as IP subnets, protocol types or Medium Access Control addresses, reduces overall traffic loads by preventing the need for data to be sent to every station on the network. It also supports virtual LANs.
Port trunking. Treating multiple parallel links as one backbone pipe provides network redundancy. If any link fails, traffic is re-routed to other links.
Redundant uplinks. Multiple uplink ports on switches provide alternate paths into the network in case one link fails.
Scalability. Stackable switches can multiply the total number of available ports. A modular switch can add extra modules for the same purpose or add support for different network protocols.
Spanning free support. The spanning tree protocol protects against network loops and provides redundant network paths.