One user is taking advantage of the 8008 to extend the use of a chassis-based data center switch. This way, we didn't' have to free up a slot or put in another chassis. We're using the 8008 essentially as an external slot to the chassis. Similar small Gigabit switches are available from other vendors. Cisco's 3508G XL has eight fixed Gigabit Ethernet GBIC ports.
G has eight fixed SX fiber ports.
Some network managers take advantage of smaller Gigabit switches in the wiring closet as a cost-effective way of aggregating traffic, but such use is not suited for all networks, said Meta Group analyst Chris Kozup. The new switch is a sign that Alcatel is taking enterprise customers seriously by rounding out its product line with a switch that's not sexy but will be useful to select IT managers, Kozup said.