This can save rack space and provide for easier management, according to Enterasys. The switch also includes severalfeatures for defending LANs against internal and external hacking attempts. Enterasys says the new switch will compete with Cisco's Catalyst 3548XL and the Summit 48 from Extreme Networks. The switch's high port density allows network professionals to aggregate a large block of user connections into one device, and to manage those connections from a single device, according to Julian Gilbert, marketing manager for the Vertical Horizon product line. Previous SmartStack products maxed out at 24 ports per device, he adds.
All ports can autosense connection speed.
The switch supports the 802.1Q virtual LAN and 802.1p traffic prioritization standards for virtually segmenting groups of users and setting the quality of service those groups receive. The switch also features software hooks that tie the switch into Enterasys' intrusion detection software, which was acquired from Network Security Wizards in October. This allows it to be monitored for intrusion detection from inside and outside the network. The switch also supports remote monitoring and SNMP management, as well as port mirroring for connecting a network analyzing tool to the device. The firm also predicts that the installed base for Layer 3 switches will increase more than 11 times between 2000 and 2004.