Infotech Lead America: Dell has launched S4820T top-of-rack (ToR) switch targeting software-defined 10G cloud and virtualized data centers.
The main objective of the Intel Ethernet CNA X540 with the Dell S4820T 10GBASE-T switch is to offer easy migration from an existing 1G infrastructure to a cost-effective 10G network, Dell said.
Recently, Dell’s rival Cisco announced that the networking major expanded its Open Network Environment (ONE) portfolio, targeting data center and cloud environments. These innovations are part of Cisco’s Unified Data Center strategy.
Cisco’s new products – eyeing strong position in software defined networking (SDN) market – include Cisco Nexus 6000; Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Network Analysis Module (NAM); Cisco Nexus 2248PQ fabric extender and the Nexus 5500 Series switch and a new Cisco ONE Software Controller.
In fact, Dell Networking business posted double-digit revenue growth in its last quarter.
Tom Burns, vice president and general manager, Dell Networking, says the company sees networking as a key enabler in helping enterprise customers move to next-generation, 10 and 40G solutions in application-aware, converged, virtualized and hybrid cloud environments.”
Alan Weckel, senior director of Dell’Oro Group, expects the Ethernet Switch market to experience two significant years of market growth in 2013 and 2014 from the migration of servers towards 10 Gigabit Ethernet. In addition, in 2013, most large enterprises will upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet for server access through a mix of connectivity options ranging from blade servers, SFP+, SFP+ direct attach and 10GBASE-T.
Dell says the new S4820T switch – targeting data centers — is powered by the Force10 operating system (FTOS) and designed to support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality required for Web 2.0, enterprise and cloud server provider data centers.
Dell, which is going private with the support of Microsoft, says Dell is one of the only vendors to offer a complete and unbiased approach to SDN embracing legacy networking environments, greenfield controller-based deployments as well as hypervisor-oriented architectures.
Brocade is also claiming that it has an unbiased approach. Who will win the confidence of enterprise CIOs?
