Go-faster Gigabit Ethernet

Networks have a need for speed, so Dave Mitchell tests 12 Gigbit Ethernet switches to see if they deliver.

Nowhere is the perceived need for speed more strongly felt than inthernet switches to see if they deliver. networking. For years, trusty standard Ethernet provided all the bandwidth and performance most Lans could possibly need. However, as an increasing number of applications are moved onto the network, the requirement for bandwidth has never been greater. Although Fast Ethernet provides a clear and safe migration path to 100Mbps performance for servers and desktops, there is a growing need for even higher speeds at the backbone and server levels.

Offering a 10-fold increase to 1,000Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet looks to be the ideal solution. Based on established technology, Gigabit Ethernet uses similar Ethernet CSMA/CD protocols along with the same IEEE 802.3 frame formats and sizes and offers full backward compatibility with Fast Ethernet and Ethernet products.

No doubt, one argument that will continue to rage for some time yet is whether Gigabit Ethernet will be a big nail in ATM's coffin, but this is not the place to start looking at pros and cons of either technology.

Gigabit Ethernet has already scored a notable success over ATM, however, mainly due to the high availability of products in the short time-span since initial announcements.

Less than a year ago Gigabit Ethernet was unveiled to the world and here we have 12 switches on review. Curiously, the only vendor we contacted that declined to participate was IBM. Never mind - there are plenty of other options here to moisten your palate. Instead of concentrating on specific applications such as server farm connection, we decided to cover as wide a range of applications as possible.

3Com SuperStack II Switch 9300

The SuperStack II Switch 9300 from 3Com stands out from the crowd as the only unit with a plastic chassis. Although this is fairly sturdy, it will be easier to damage than the full-metal jackets of its competitors.

There are two versions of the 9300 available, both of which have 12 fixed ports. One supplies 12 1000BaseSX ports while the version on review offers 10 1000BaseSX ports plus a couple of 1000BaseLX ports for longer connection lengths over single-mode fibre.

Visual information provided by the front panel is minimal as each port has nothing more than a status and activity light next to it. The front panel also houses a serial console port for local or remote management using a terminal emulation session. Alternatively, you can use the 10BaseT port next door for out-of-band-management. Either way, you'll have to use the console port first to set up user-access privileges and assign IP addresses. We found the CLI (Command Line Interface) better than many, with plenty of help on hand and, once basic configuration is completed, you can move over to in-band management over IP via a web browser or SNMP.

At the rear is a single power socket and a proprietary port for connecting 3Com's optional redundant power system module.

Essentially, the 9300 can be used to connect server farms over high-speed Gigabit links, connect other switches and stand in for general backbone duties. Its forwarding table has a 16,000 MAC address capacity and its 26.6Gbps switching fabric supports wire-speed switching concurrently across all ports. Support for port trunking allows fat pipelines to be created, such as point-to-point, inter-switch connections. Whereas many of the switches only allow four ports to be combined, the 9300 allows up to six ports to be linked for a total throughput of 6Gbps.

There are plenty of other options available with the 9300, including support for 802.1p, 802.1q VLan tagging and IGMP snooping to limit IP multicast traffic to specific ports. Another useful feature is an option to assign per-port limits to broadcast and multicast traffic. For advanced monitoring RAP (Roving Analysis Port) allows traffic to be mirrored from one port to another that has a protocol analyser attached.

Allied Telesyn CentreCom AT-9108

Aimed at serving Gigabit backbone and server farm applications, the CentreCom AT-9108 Gigabit switch provides Layer 2 switching in addition to Layer 3 IP routing capabilities. The AT-9108 comes equipped with eight Gigabit ports. Six fixed 1000BaseSX ports are arranged along the lower part of the front panel with the two upper ports equipped to handle hot-swappable GBICs (Gigabit Interface Connectors) providing extra support for 1000BaseLX.

The front panel is comparatively devoid of features, with a small status panel in the centre showing activity and link status for each port. A serial port is tucked away at the rear along with a connector for adding a second power supply for increased redundancy.

For Layer 3 IP routing the AT-9108 supports both RIP (Routing Information Protocol) and RIPv2 although, at the time of writing, support for OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and DVMRP (Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol) due to be implemented in the next version of Allied Telesyn's software.

The AT-9108 uses a 17.5Gbps non-blocking switching fabric that delivers a maximum throughput of 11.9 million packets per second while its forwarding table can support up to 128,000 MAC addresses or 64,000 IP addresses.

VLans can be created based on port, protocol and 802.1q tags, while support for 802.1p packet tagging allows queue priorities to be assigned. For increased redundancy and prevention of network cabling loops STP 802.1d is also on offer. Along with out-of-band management, there are plenty of other options available with support for SNMP and RMON, while an embedded HTTP server supports web browser access.

Bay Networks Accelar 1200

Bay Networks offers a comprehensive range of Gigabit switches, with the Accelar 1000 Series consisting of five different products. At the top of this list is the Accelar 1200 routing switch - an eight-slot chassis-based system.

Decked out in the usual muddy brown Bay Networks livery the Accelar 1200 base unit (#3,262) comes with a single hot-swappable power supply as standard.

The switching fabric comes courtesy of an SSF (Silicon Switch Fabric) module (#8,395) which must occupy one of the two centre slots, while a second SSF can be added to provide redundancy. Called SwitchSafe, this is a unique feature of the Accelar 1200 as, with two SSFs in place, the switching fabric itself is protected from failure. During boot-up, one is selected to supply the active fabric while the other drops back into a warm, standby mode. If the active SSF fails the second will take over and re-learn all the switching and routing tables, which Bay estimates will take around one minute. The failed SSF can then be hot-swapped for a new one. Performance of the switching fabric is rated at 7Gbps with a maximum forwarding rate of seven million packets per second.

The remaining six slots can be populated with a wide variety of modules.

Gigabit modules come in single or dual-port (#6,767) versions, or you can opt for Bay's LinkSafe version (#9,567). The latter provides two active Gigabit ports plus a duplicate physical layer supporting two standby ports that can be used to provide redundant paths. Gigabit modules can support either 1000BaseSX or LX connections and Bay also offers 16-port 10/100BaseTX modules.

The Accelar 1200 is capable of dealing with large networks as its forwarding table has a 24,000 address capacity and it supports up to 127 VLans based on port, policy or protocol. Bay Networks plans to support VLans based on IP subnet, but this is one of a number of features that will only be made available in future software releases. For routing it supports RIP, RIP2 and OSPF, but IGMP (Internet Group Multicast Protocol) and DVMRP are not included in Bay's first software release.

Each SSF provides two serial ports for remote and local out-of-band management, although we found the CLI unintuitive. No default administrative username or password was provided in the otherwise copious documentation, and we only gained access to the Accelar after a phone call to Bay for assistance.

Fortunately, the Accelar can be managed using a web browser or Bay Networks' own Device Manager for Windows 95 or NT.

For multiple redundancy, there's little to touch the Accelar 1200, with protection available for physical links, power and even the switch fabric itself. Unfortunately, this all comes at a high price and performance is clearly not a strong point.

Compaq 5422 Enterprise Switch

Announced in March this year, Compaq's range of Gigabit-enabled switches consists of the 5411 and 5422 models with both providing a combination of dual-speed and Gigabit ports.

The 5422 on review is a workgroup switch providing 16 dual-speed ports and six fixed 1000BaseSX ports arranged in two rows across the front panel with a useful bank of status LEDs positioned in the centre. A serial port for console management is located at the rear as is a connector for a second optional redundant power supply.

Setting up the 5422 ready for action is not as easy as some and we found the CLI interface unintuitive, although once an IP address has been assigned to the default VLan you can move over to SNMP or web browser access. Using Netscape, we found the latter method provided plenty of useful information and management options, with each function accessed easily from a group of tabbed folders.

The forwarding table has a capacity for 128,000 addresses and up to 256 VLans are supported which can be based on either physical port, 802.1q tags, Ethernet protocol or a combination of all three. The 5422 supports the 802.1d STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) for creating multiple redundant paths for fault tolerance and eliminating cable loops. QoS can be used to specify different service levels for various traffic types. For the latter function, the 5422 uses explicit and implicit modes.

The former function uses fixed QoS profiles based only on priority while the latter is based on bandwidth and priority and can be modified once created.

The 5422 also offers Layer 3 IP Unicast routing with support for both RIP and RIP2.

At #14,955, the 5422 certainly isn't cheap but it does offer a good combination of dual-speed and Gigabit ports making it one of the more powerful edge devices reviewed.

Extreme Networks Black Diamond

Only making its debut at the end of September, this is a very early look at Extreme Networks' flagship product - the Black Diamond. Utilising a passive backplane, the Black Diamond features a 64Gbps non-blocking switching fabric capable of forwarding over 48 million packets per second. However, to realise this potential you'll need to use two management modules as each one only provides 32Gbps switching capacity.

The chassis provides 10 expansion slots and has room for two power supplies below.

Only one MSM is required with the optional second module providing load sharing and redundancy. Layer 3 routing comes as standard on all ports.

Management features abound, with the usual console interface and SNMP, while ExtremeWare Vista provides HTTP services for web browser access.

Using Netscape, we found the interface very informative and easy to use with all configuration options accessible from a simple menu system.

Companies looking for a chassis-based switch with Layer 3 routing as standard should put the Black Diamond high on their list. However, if your requirements don't extend beyond Layer 2 switching then the PowerRail 5200 is a cheaper alternative.

Foundry Networks TurboIron/8

As one of the earliest Gigabit start-up companies, Foundry Networks now has a comprehensive range of Gigabit switches and routers. The TurboIron/8 is available in two versions as a Layer 2 switch and a Layer 3 switching router.

Physically, both units are identical and provide eight fixed Gigabit ports supporting either 1000BaseSX or 1000BaseLX. A pair of link and status LEDs next to each port provides visual clues to activity and a serial-console port provides out-of-band management using the CLI. The chassis can accommodate a second redundant power supply, but this must be specified when ordering as it is only a factory-installable option.

The TurboIron/8 has a fast 32Gbps backplane capable of switching nearly 12 million packets per second while the forwarding table can support a healthy 32,0000 MAC addresses. VLans can be assigned by port, 802.1q tags, protocol and sub-net and up to four trunking groups can be created consisting of between two and four Gigabit ports. Not only does this provide pipelines of up to 4Gbps, but trunking can also be used to create alternative redundant paths should any segment fail.

For management over SNMP, Foundry can supply the optional IronView software, although this will only run on Windows NT4 or Unix systems. This provides a list of all discovered Foundry switches and routers for quick selection.

This moves you onto a graphical representation of the selected object's front panel where port statistics can be viewed. Alternatively, an internal HTTP server allows management functions to be controlled by a standard web browser.

With the Layer 2 switch version costing a modest #7,495 this equates to a low #937 per Gigabit port, which is only beaten by 3Com's Switch 9300. The Layer 3 router is also good value as, at #11,295, it brings an equally low #1,411 per Gigabit routing port.

Hewlett-Packard ProCurve 8000M

The ProCurve 8000M is a remarkably compact desktop-sized chassis that still manages to pack in a good level of expansion potential. It represents the top of the range of HP's Gigabit-enabled switches and comes with 10 expansion slots.

The basic chassis costs a modest #2,400 and comes with the switching fabric and management module built in and you can populate the slots with a variety of modules. Costing #914, Gigabit modules come with a single 1000BaseSX port. These are the same as used by the ProCurve 1600M and, incidentally, the TigerSwitch as well. At present, HP does not offer 1000BaseLX versions.

You can also add eight-port 10/100TX modules (#487), four-port 100BaseFX modules or 10BaseFL modules. A second redundant power supply can also be fitted although this will add around #1,000 to your outlay.

HP's web browser management interface is one of the best we have seen.

Configuration is easy to carry out and performance can be monitored from here as well with individual port counters on offer, or a bar graph showing utilisation for each port. Alternatively, you can use the bundled copy of HP's TopTools for even more detail on performance.

Along with many of the other switches on review, the ProCurve allows two to four ports to be grouped into trunks and supports a maximum of 10 trunks. It also offers FEC (Fast Ether Channel) technology using Cisco's proprietary PAgP (Port Aggregation Protocol), allowing trunking links to other compatible switches.

Up to eight VLans can be configured based on port or 801.1q tags, and traffic can be prioritised using 802.1p packet tagging.

Intel Express Gigabit Switch

Although physically different, Intel's Express Gigabit switch is based around the same switching hardware as Lucent's Cajun P550. It's an impressively well-built chassis offering seven fixed 1000BaseSX ports.

Unusually for a Gigabit switch, it also has an expansion port that can accept a variety of additional modules including a 1000BaseLX version.

Alternatively, you can increase the compliment of 1000BaseSX ports to eight or add a four-port 10/100BaseTX or two-port 100BaseFX module instead.

The same green LED display as used on the Cajun sits in the centre providing information on the agent version, and it can be toggled with a small button alongside to show the date, time or operating temperature. Copious operating information is provided as each port has four LEDs showing transmit and receive status plus link and duplex mode.

A standard serial port is provided for access over a terminal emulation session and the 10BaseT port can also be used for out-of-band management.

To use the latter you'll need to assign an IP address to the port using the CLI interface. As with the Cajun this is not the most pleasant form of switch communication, but at least Intel's tidy documentation takes you through the entire process or you can use the SETUP CLI command instead.

The switch can be managed using a web browser, although if Netscape 3.0 is the preferred software you'll need to download an extra plug-in. Intel also provides its Device View software, which must be installed on an NT system with Microsoft's IIS running.

The Express uses a crossbar switching fabric providing 1.76Gbps of bandwidth for each port. It supports up to 1,024 VLans, which can be based on Layer 1 port level and Layer 2 MAC address or 802.1Q tagging. The forwarding table can handle up to 24,000 MAC addresses making it suitable for backbone duties on relatively large networks. Standard 802.1d STP is supported, plus two further levels based on VLans that reduce the size of the Spanning Trees for faster reconfiguration.

Lucent Cajun P550

Lucent's Cajun P550 is the largest of the mid-range chassis-based switches on review. This is partly due to the triplet of power supplies running across the top of the slot assembly. Below there's room for seven modules, with the uppermost occupied by a supervisor module.

The basic P550 (#7,666) is a Layer 2 switch and comes fitted with the supervisor module and a single power supply. Moving up to the Cajun P550 with integrated routing sees a commensurate increase in price to #11,500, while the top version with a redundant switch matrix and Layer 3 supervisor module costs #15,360.

The MSM (Multilayer Supervisor Module) comes fitted with a PowerPC 750 Risc processor, 64MB of DRAM and a 2MB cache. Out-of-band management is provided by a standard nine-pin serial port and a 10BaseT Ethernet port as well. In the centre is a distinctive green LED display, also seen on Intel's Gigabit Switch, which provides little information other than the agent version, time, date and operating temperature.

Lucent offers a comprehensive range of multilayer modules, including a two-port 1000BaseSX (#4,425), two-port 1000BaseLX (#6,120) and a 12-port 10/100BaseTX (#4,275). You can also mix Layer 2 modules with the multilayer versions. Basic management using the CLI is relatively simple and the Cajun also has an embedded HTTP server for browser access.

The Cajun uses a crossbar switch fabric which supports 13 fabric ports - two for each module plus one for the supervisor module. Each port has a 1.76Gbps bandwidth and the backplane has a capacity of 45.76Gbps so, in theory, the switching fabric is under-subscribed. However, with only 3.52Gbps of available bandwidth for each slot, it's clear the four-port Gigabit modules are actually over-subscribed.

The forwarding table capacity is 16,000 MAC addresses and the Cajun supports up to 1,024 VLans based on port, protocol, 802.1q tags and Layer 2 host address.

Along with one of the most extensive support for IP unicast and multicast protocols, the Cajun also allows multiple, same-type ports to be aggregated together for load sharing and link redundancy. Called Hunt Groups, there is no limit to the number of ports a group can handle and up to 15 groups can be configured for one switch.

Packet Engines PowerRail 5200

Along with the Black Diamond, the PowerRail 5200 is also a chassis-based enterprise switch.

Build quality is extremely good and the mighty chassis can be populated by a wide variety of port modules up to a maximum of 14, with the first two slots dedicated to EMMs (Enterprise Management Modules).

At the top is a large LCD display panel that provides a status read-out with a row of five buttons for navigating a comprehensive menu system for more detailed information.

The base 5200 chassis (#20,300) comes fitted with a single EMM with two serial interfaces, a flash memory slot and a single Gigabit 1000BaseSX port, plus two power supplies fitted below the slot assembly. An optional redundancy package (#12,190) adds a third power supply, a second EMM module and a software package to control all this extra redundancy.

The 5200 uses Packet Engines' own Parallel Shared Memory architecture for switching with a backplane capacity of 52Gbps and a routing capability of over 37 million packets per second.

The forwarding table can learn up to 64,000 addresses per Gigabit port or group of 10 Fast Ethernet ports.

From here on it is up to you how you build up the PowerRail. Suffice to say it takes a wide variety of modules. A blade of 20 dual-speed ports costs #7,310 while a pair of 1000BaseSX Gigabit ports will set you back #4,220, which increases to #8,120 if you want 1000BaseLX ports instead.

For greater redundancy, you can opt for Gigabit modules with two primary and two standby ports (#6,990).

The 5200 can be managed using the console port but an HTTP server for web browser access is not expected to be available until the end of 1998, so other options are currently limited to Packet Engines' own TrackView software or snap-in modules for HP's OpenView for NT and Unix.

VLans can be created based on port, protocol, 802.1q tags, MAC address and Layer 3 subnet or IPX network number. However, whereas the Black Diamond comes with Layer 3 routing as standard, for the PowerRail you'll need to buy the optional Routing Package (#10,150), which includes IPv4, IPv6 and IPX routing.

A single 5200 chassis supports up to four trunk groups each comprising four identical port types. Packet Engines is not concentrating on trunking interoperability with other vendors until the IEEE 802.3ad standard has been ratified.

Overall, the PowerRail 5200 makes for a cost-effective enterprise-level Layer 2 switch, although the Black Diamond scores more due to its higher expansion potential and Layer 3 routing support that comes as standard.

SMC TigerSwitch 6716M

We had a feeling of deja vu when we first saw SMC's TigerSwitch 6716M - Hewlett-Packard has re-badged this as its own ProCurve Switch 1600M.

The TigerSwitch is the odd one out in this benchtest as it only provides a single Gigabit uplink port, making it suitable as a network edge device.

The switch comes as standard with 16 fixed 10/100BaseTX ports plus a single slot that supports hot-swappable modules. SMC supplied the review unit with a single 1000BaseSX module, although other options include eight-port 10/100BaseTX or four-port 100BaseFX modules, but SMC does not currently offer a 1000BaseLX version for supporting longer connections over single-mode fibre.

There are plenty of visual clues to activity as each dual-speed port, and the Gigabit module, has a link status LED plus a second indicator with three different functions. A mode button on the front panel can be used to cycle through displaying speed, duplex mode or link activity.

There are also separate status lights for power, fan operation and the plug-in module.

The TigerSwitch has the lowest switching capacity in this benchtest as its backplane only has a 3.5Gbps bandwidth, which translates to 3.8 million packets per second maximum throughput.

Up to eight VLans can be created and 802.1q tagging lets ports belong to multiple VLan groups. It also supports 802.1p packet tagging, allowing two levels of forwarding priorities to be assigned. Although confined to the dual-speed ports, the TigerSwitch allows groups of between two and four ports to be aggregated up to a maximum of six trunks.

At only #2,775, this represents a low-priced entry into the world of Gigabit Ethernet. However, bear in mind that the ProCurve 1600M costs around the same and HP offers a lifetime guarantee as opposed to SMC's three years.

Xyplex GigaFrame SX-3012

The GigaFrame SX-3012 is a desktop-sized chassis offering four expansion slots with the topmost occupied by Xyplex's controller card. This provides a serial interface for CLI management plus MDI and MDI-X 10BaseT ports for connection to another hub or directly to a workstation.

Configuring the GigaFrame using the CLI is nothing less than a pain.

In previous reviews of Xyplex switches, we found the method of accessing internal MIB data using GET and SET commands overly complex, and the GigaFrame suffers from this as well. Definitely a case of too many engineers spoiling it for the end users. However, once the basic setup is complete you can move over to SNMP or web-based management for an easier life.

The remaining three slots can take a variety of modules, with the review model supplied with a single blade of four 1000BaseSX Gigabit ports (#6,550).

At #2,250, the base unit compares well with HP's ProCurve, while Gigabit port pricing comes to a reasonable #1,637. Other modules include four 1000BaseLX ports (#6,550) and a 16-port 10/100BaseTX version (#3,750).

Each port is accompanied by a comprehensive array of LEDs showing receive, transmit, link, error and management status.

Although aimed at enterprise networks the GigaFrame has a comparatively small forwarding table with a capacity for only 4,096 MAC addresses. The switching fabric is based around the crossbar architecture and has an 8Gbps bandwidth for a 5.5 million packets per second forwarding rate.

Up to 64 VLans can be created while port mirroring allows data from up to eight ports to be copied to a port with an analyser attached. Note that port trunking is a feature that is yet to be implemented in the GigaFrame.

Layer 3 IP routing is optional for the GigaFrame and can be supported either in hardware by the ASIC or by using Nbase's DirectIP. The latter is already implemented in the GigaFrame and requires a visit to the CLI and a special password supplied by Xyplex to activate it. DirectIP provides broadcast filtering and extra security by allowing address pairs to be accepted or denied. Up to 32 IP-based VLans can be configured but all other switches on the network must support DirectIP and be configured with the same information.

PRODUCT INFO

Product: 3COM SUPERSTACK II SWITCH 9300

In Brief: A Gigabit switch offering a low price per port, top performance and good features, although compromised by weak build quality.

Availability: 3Com: (0800) 225 252

Price: #9,978 excl VAT

Product: ALLIED TELESYN CENTRECOM AT-9108

In Brief: A Gigabit switch delivering excellent performance and offering both Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 IP routing. Support for some features has yet to be implemented though.

Availability: Allied Telesyn (01235) 442 500

Price: #12,187

Product: BAY NETWORKS ACCELAR 1200

In Brief: Best expansion potential of all the desktop-sized chassis-based systems with high levels of redundancy.

Expensive though, and performance is uninspiring.

Availability: Bay Networks (0800) 801 284

Price: Chassis #3,262; SSF module #8395, Two-port 1000BaseSX module #6,767, Two-port 1000BaseSX plus LinkSafe #9,567

Product: COMPAQ 5422 ENTERPRISE SWITCH

In Brief: Good combination of Gigabit and dual-speed ports backed up with comprehensive management features, making the 5422 highly suitable for bandwidth-hungry power workgroups.

Availability: Compaq (0845) 270 400

Price: #14,955

Product: EXTREME NETWORKS BLACK DIAMOND

In Brief: A fast, enterprise-level chassis-based switch with Layer 3 routing as standard. High expansion potential and superb level of network services supported, but not as well-built as the PowerRail.

Availability: Extreme Networks (01753) 647 134

Price: Chassis #3,526 ($5,995), Power supply #2,938 ($4,995), MSM #7,055 ($11,995), Four-port Gigabit modules (GBICs) #5,879 ($9,995)

Product: FOUNDRY NETWORKS TURBOIRON/8

In Brief: Low price per port for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 versions of the TurboIron/8 but let down by an unacceptably poor performance under heavy loads.

Availability: Foundry Networks (01491) 413 518

Price: Layer 2 switch #7,495, Layer 3 routing switch #11,295

Product: HEWLETT-PACKARD PROCURVE 8000M

In Brief: A compact mini-chassis with good expansion potential at a low price. Overall performance is very good and it comes with plenty of quality management tools.

Availability: Hewlett-Packard (01344) 418 800

Price: Base unit #2,400, Single-port 1000BaseSX module #914, Eight-port 10/100BaseTX module #487

Product: INTEL EXPRESS GIGABIT SWITCH

In Brief: Excellent performance and top build quality, but beaten soundly on a price per port basis by 3Com's cheaper and better-specified 9300.

Availability: Intel (01793) 431 155

Price: #7,995

Product: LUCENT CAJUN P550

In Brief: Masses of redundancy and full Layer 3 routing offered at a cost-effective price, although the internal switching architecture can be over-subscribed with the four-port Gigabit modules.

Availability: Lucent (01980) 847 447

Price: P550 Layer 2 switch #7,666, P550 with integrated routing #11,500, Four-port 1000BaseSX module #6,120, Two-port 1000BaseSX module with integrated routing #4,425

Product: PACKET ENGINES POWERRAIL 5200

In Brief: Extremely well-built enterprise-chassis hub that offers cost-effective, fast Layer 2 switching.

Can be upgraded to Layer 3 routing but at a comparatively high cost.

Availability: Packet Engines (01491) 682 610

Price: Base unit (with EMM, two power supplies and 1000BaseSX port) #20,300, Redundancy package #16,245, Layer 3 Routing package #10,150, Two-port 1000BaseSX modules #4,220

Product: SMC TIGERSWITCH 6716M

In Brief: A budget-priced switch with 16 dual-speed ports but only a single Gigabit port.

Availability: SMC (01344) 360 000

Price: Base unit with 16 10/100 ports #1,850, 1000BaseSX module #925

Product: XYPLEX GIGAFRAME SX-3012

In Brief: Desktop-sized chassis providing plenty of port options, although let down by overly complex CLI interface and poor performance at high traffic loads.

Availability: Xyplex (0181) 564 0501

Price: Base unit #2,250, Four-port 1000BaseSX module #6,550, 16-port 10/100BaseTX module #3,750

RECOMMENDED

At this early stage in the Gigabit Ethernet evolution, and with such a diverse range of products on review, we decided to give Recommended awards in three categories - Gigabit-only switches, desktop-sized chassis-based systems and enterprise chassis-based systems.

3Com's SuperStack II 9300 came top in the Gigabit-only category, offering the best combination of our review criteria. In the fight for the mid-range arena, HP's ProCurve 8000M won the day. Extreme Networks' Black Diamond, with its expansion and management features, is recommended in the enterprise chassis-based systems category.

THE FULL REPORT

This is an abridged version of a full group benchtest from VNU's Labs, which appears in November's issue of NETWORK Solutions, our monthly sister publication.