Cisco boosts metro switches to 10Gbit/sec Ethernet

Cisco Systems Inc. Wednesday announced an upgrade of its Catalyst switching portfolio to include 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink and extensive power over Ethernet (POE) capabilities. The full Class 3 15.4-watt power delivery capability through each port on the device is "an industry first," Cisco said. POE is a way of powering certain network devices, such as IP phones, through the switch connection rather than plugging them in to a nearby mains outlet.

The POE capability is backed by Cisco’s Redundant Power Systems as a recommended network product option. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet capability can be accessed by replacing the twin Gigabit Ethernet uplink module with a 10 Gigabit TwinGig Converter module to meet changed network service provision needs.

A showcase installation of the new solutions will be at Duke University, where it will serve a 27,000-node academic network, Cisco said. The new, higher-capacity Cisco 3750-E switches with 10 Gigabit upgrade capability will be deployed to gradually replace or complement some 1,000 Catalyst 3750 series switches already running the university's student, faculty and administrative networks.

A similar upgrade to an academic network was being considered by University College in London and several other institutions in Europe, Cisco officials said. Duke University and other users would most likely use the 10 Gigabit capabilities to deploy video-based applications and services, they said.