Linksys Launches Affordable Family Of Fast Ethernet And Gigabit Switches Purpose-Built For Small Business Networks

Posted by Admin on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 04:35 am:

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New 16-, 24, and 48-port Web and SNMP Manageable Switches Feature: Remote Monitoring and Control, with Options for Power-over-Ethernet, Fiber Expansion Options, and More

Linksys®, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., the recognized leading provider of voice, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business customer, today launched the offering of a new line of Gigabit and Fast Ethernet switches for small businesses. The eight new switches, part of Linksys WebView small business solutions switch family, help meet the needs of businesses looking for a cost effective way to provide high speed networking to their users or to easily migrate their networks from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit. The newest additions to the WebView line include:

Gigabit Ethernet

• 16-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2016)
• 24-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2024)
• 48-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2048)

Dual Fast Ethernet and Gigabit

• 24-Port 10/100 + 4-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW224G4)
• 48-Port 10/100 + 4-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW248G4)

Dual Fast Ethernet and Gigabit with Power-over Ethernet (PoE)

• 24-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW2024P)
• 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW224P)
• 48-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW248P)

These new Linksys rackmount switches include WebView, so administrators can control their network remotely through a web browser for configuration and monitoring traffic. Up to 48* 10/100/1000 ports can wire the office workstations, while fiber expansion options through the mini-GBIC ports (which are included on all the above switches) allow administrators to add mini GBIC SFP Transceivers for longer range, high throughput connections to the main network.

All ports have automatic MDI/MDI-X crossover detection, so administrators don't have to worry about the cable type, and polarity detection which will automatically correct wiring errors. Each port independently and automatically negotiates for best speed in either half- or full-duplex mode. Head-of-line blocking prevention keeps high-speed clients from bogging down in lower-speed traffic. Fast store-and-forward switching prevents damaged packets from being passed on into the network.

"Starting at about $9 a port, our new small business solution switches provide just what our resellers and business customers have been asking for: speed, affordability, configurability and ease of use," said Richard Platt, vice president, Linksys small business systems business unit. "We enhanced our gigabit switches with more features that optimize network performance while providing expandability options as network needs grow. Linksys is building out its small business line to offer a complete portfolio of solutions that will meet the needs of all types of small business demands."

WebView Monitoring
The new WebView monitoring tool lets administrators control their network remotely through a high secure web browser connection using HTTPS for simple configuration and monitoring. There is also a console port for those users who prefer to over-see their network directly from a PC. Configuration options include:

• Port Configuration for Speed, Duplex Mode
• Enable/Disable ports
• VLAN Configuration for up to 64*, 128* or 256* VLAN's
• Port Trunking
• QoS priority traffic settings

Robust Features
Linksys packs a number of features that enable small businesses to build a network that will fit their network needs while also including options that will benefit them as their network grows.

• VLAN- Virtual Local Area Network. Up to 256* VLANs can be supported.
• Port Trunking. To help eliminate traffic bottlenecks and connection redundancy, the port trunking allows administrators to group up to four* or eight* ports on the switch and dedicate them to network traffic with another switch.
• QoS - Quality of Service allows administrators to set traffic priority settings on each port.
• Mini GBIC port allows for administrators to add mini GBIC SFP Transceivers. This feature provides the switch to have longer range options to the main network. (Linksys offers Gigabit Ethernet (MGBT1), fiber optic with up to 500m range (MGBSX1) and fiber optic with up to 40km range (MGBLH1).)
• Mac Address table supports up to 8K Mac Address entries.
• Containment of Storms - Broadcast, Multicast and Unknown Unicast, minimizes and contains the effect of these type of traffic on regular traffic within the network.
• SNMP and RMON Management for expanding network visibility options.
• IGMP Snooping for limiting bandwidth-intensive to multicast traffic specific ports.
• Auto MDI/MDIX per port allows for automatic cable detection.
• Security Lock is provided to help with preventing theft.
• Rack Mount brackets included for mounting the unit in a switch chassis or server rack.

Pricing and Availability
All the WebView switches are immediately available through D&H, Ingram Micro, Tech Data, VARs and direct response immediately except for the SRW2024P and SRW248P which are scheduled to ship this summer. Estimated Street Pricing is as follows:

• 16-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2016): $369
• 24-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2024): $479
• 48-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW2048): $899
• 24-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW2024P): TBA
• 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW224P): $459
• 48-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView and PoE (SRW248P): TBA
• 24-Port 10/100 + 4-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW224G4): $239
• 48-Port 10/100 + 4-Port Gigabit Switch with WebView (SRW248G4): $399

About Linksys
Founded in 1988, Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the recognized leader in Voice, Wireless and Ethernet networking hardware for consumer, SOHO and small business users. Linksys is dedicated to making networking easy and affordable for its customers, offering innovative, award-winning products that seamlessly integrate with a variety of devices and applications. Linksys provides award-winning product support to its customers. For more information, visit www.linksys.com.

*Actual number depends on product model. Check Linksys website for complete details.