Force10 Networks Expands S-Series Family of Access Switches to Bring High Performance Resiliency to the Network Edge

Force10 Networks(R), the pioneer in building and securing high
performance networks, today announced that it is expanding its
S-Series family of access switches to bring high performance
resiliency to the edge of the network, ensuring transparency between
the data center and the local area network. With the introduction of
the S50V and S25 to its product portfolio, Force10 is delivering the
resilient power over Ethernet (PoE) and secure connectivity
organizations require to build advanced network edges that provide
seamless access to mission critical applications.

"To build out a state-of-the-art network in our new facility, we
deployed the Force10 E-Series(R) for our high performance research
needs and are extending that deployment with the S50V to provide POE
capabilities for our VOIP and wireless connectivity," said Tim Korb,
assistant department head of the Department of Computer Science at
Purdue University. "The Force10 S50V delivers the resilient density we
need to build out an advanced infrastructure that can reliably support
hundreds of faculty, employees, researchers and students."

As enterprises continue to adopt VOIP, expand wireless
connectivity and locate strategic assets in the data center, it is
essential to ensure maximum uptime and access to critical business
applications. The S50V brings resilient, high density power over
Ethernet in a compact form factor to the network edge. With 48
line-rate Gigabit Ethernet ports and four optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet
uplinks, the S50V provides the capacity and functionality
organizations require at the edge of their networks.

For organizations that are building secure, advanced network
edges, Force10 is introducing the S25 to its product portfolio. With
24 fiber Gigabit Ethernet ports and four optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet
uplinks, the Force10 S25 cost effectively delivers a higher level of
protected capacity to secure the network edge. The increase in network
intrusions has created a need for greater security in the wiring
closet. However, enterprise network economics dictate that the edge
must also cost effectively support applications such as VOIP and
wireless connectivity. With high density fiber, port security, 802.1x
and access control lists, the S25 delivers the secure networking
functionality IT managers require to secure their wiring closets.

As networks and applications continue to evolve, equipment
flexibility is essential to managing the product life cycle. The
Force10 S50V and S25 deliver maximum flexibility by providing IT
managers with the option to add both stacking capabilities and 10
Gigabit Ethernet ports. With optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet and
stacking, IT managers can add the functionality as needed to tailor
the switches to their network requirements, reducing initial
deployment costs. This level of flexibility also allows organizations
to repurpose the S50V and S25 in various locations, extending the
lifetime of both products and providing a high level of investment
protection.

Both the S50V and S25 deliver maximum resiliency through stacking
capabilities that enable network operators to connect up to eight
switches that can then be managed as a single switch. With stacked
link aggregation and automatic failover stacking, if a single switch
fails, the others continue to process traffic, ensuring maximum
network uptime.

"Force10 is leveraging its expertise in the high performance data
center to cost effectively bring core-like resiliency to the network
edge," said Andrew Feldman, vice president of marketing at Force10
Networks. "By strategically expanding its product portfolio to target
additional markets, Force10 is enabling a more resilient network from
core to edge."

As Force10 continues to expand its customer base from high
performance data centers and service providers to the enterprise LAN,
it is also expanding its product portfolio to cost effectively deliver
the scalable and flexible solutions enterprises require in their
evolving networks.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is the pioneer in building and securing high
performance networks. Based on a revolutionary system architecture
that delivers best-in-class resiliency and massive scalability,
Force10's TeraScale E-Series switch/routers ensure predictable
application performance, increase network availability, and reduce
operating costs. Today, many of the world's largest Gigabit Ethernet
and 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks depend on Force10 Networks. For
additional information, please visit www.force10networks.com.

Force10 Networks and E-Series are registered trademarks, and
P-Series, S-Series, TeraScale and FTOS are trademarks of Force10
Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their
respective holders.