Extreme Networks Inc., a pioneer in producing gear that extends Ethernet LANs across metro areas, last week previewed Multiprotocol Label Switching features that it will make available next month on its wide-area gigabit Ethernet products. International Data Corp. senior analyst Katrina Dahlquist said gigabit Ethernet accounted for 6 percent of LAN switching sales in 1998 and will account for 26 percent this year. By 2004, gigabit Ethernet will account for 50 percent of all LAN switching sales, she estimated. Still, not everyone needs gigabit Ethernet. Hannaford has an all-ATM network for its headquarters and 111 stores, and that's plenty, Homa said.
Some analysts say there are also unresolved quality issues.
But Buena Vista University in Storm Valley, Iowa, is already sold. It has gigabit Ethernet links in place in all the buildings on its 60-acre campus. Ethernet is going to be necessary to keep the core network running cleanly.