Extreme Networks' BlackDiamond 20808 Raises The Bar For Metro Ethernet Transport

Published 22nd September 2008

****Unmatched Scale and Performance Combine to Make the BlackDiamond 20808 the Best Value for Metro Ethernet Transport****

Extreme Networks, today introduced the BlackDiamond® 20808 metro Ethernet transport switch, the flagship in its service provider product portfolio. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is the first purpose-built metro Ethernet transport switch, delivering the industry-leading combination of value, scale and performance for converged packet transport.

“Extreme Networks® Black Diamond 20808 switch is changing the game for Ethernet transport in the metro with the right combination of density and scale,” said IDC Telecom Equipment Group’s Program Director, Eve Griliches. "This is a terrific introduction for Extreme Networks.” IDC’s Product Flash on the announcement notes that they expect the Carrier Ethernet routing and switching market to reach well over $7.6 billion with a 5-year CAGR of 17.5% by 2012.
The BlackDiamond 20808 switch raises the bar for scaling metro Ethernet transport networks with the highest slot capacity in the industry – 120 Gbps per slot in an 8-slot system delivering 2 Tbps of switching capacity. This unmatched slot capacity results in outstanding 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) port-density, with up to 64 10 GE ports per chassis and 192 10 GE ports per rack. The BlackDiamond 20808 switch fabric provides ample capacity for future high density, line-rate 40 GE and 100 GE line-card upgrades.

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch is purpose-built for metro Ethernet transport networks, the culmination of over 10 years of Ethernet system design experience forged into Extreme Networks’ fifth generation solution. The BlackDiamond 20808 architecture is optimised for metro Ethernet performance with fully distributed network processors that deliver line rate performance for a broad range of industry standard and emerging protocols.

The BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables the lowest total cost of ownership for metro Ethernet transport by slashing capital expenditures while minimising operational expenditures. With a list price of under $5,800 per 10 GE port the BlackDiamond 20808 switch provides a dramatic reduction in provider capital expenditures. And, unlike router-based metro architectures, which require complex provisioning by highly trained engineers, operational expenses are reduced with the BlackDiamond 20808 switch thanks to the operational simplicity of Layer 2 solutions. With a scalable metro Ethernet transport network capable of carrying more services at a lower cost, the BlackDiamond 20808 switch enables increased carrier profitability.

“In order to drive better profitability, service providers are looking to increase the average revenue per user while lowering the cost of delivering services,” said Extreme Networks’ Senior Director of Service Provider Marketing, Peter Lunk. “In order to do that, they need an alternative to the complex and costly model of extending MPLS to the edge. Ethernet transport is the clear choice for economical metro packet delivery and the BlackDiamond 20808 switch at the metro core offers the right mix of value, capacity, scalability and protocols to deliver more profitable business, residential and mobile backhaul services.”

Pricing and Availability
The BlackDiamond 20808 metro Ethernet transport solution will be available in December 2008. List price for an entry-level system is under U.S. $100,000.

For more information on Extreme Networks metro Ethernet transport solutions, please, visit: www.extremenetworks.com.