Extreme Networks Introduces BlackDiamond X8

Enabling Cloud scale networks with the highest density, ultra-low latency and high energy efficiency, Extreme Networks (News - Alert) has unveiled general availability of the BlackDiamond X8 modular Ethernet switch.

Facilitating interoperable data center fabrics and leverages the ExtremeXOS operating system to support Software Defined Networking (SDN) and OpenFlow which helps reduce operational complexity associated with provisioning and device configuration, Extreme Networks Open Fabric architecture for the data center is a breakthrough solution. The BlackDiamond X8 can support 192 40-GbE ports at wire speed or 768, 10-GbE ports at wire speed, the company stated in a press release.

“Cloud infrastructure is driving a massive wave of data center consolidation," said Jon Oltsik, principal analyst for the Enterprise Strategy Group (News - Alert) in a company press release. "With its BlackDiamond X8, Extreme Networks is well-positioned to support this consolidation through an open fabric and switching architecture. The BlackDiamond X8 switch can deliver low latency, high density and strong power-efficiency for the data center.”

While delivering the lowest latency (2.3 us), highest density (768 10 gigabit Ethernet ports in a third of a rack) and lowest power (5.6 watts per port) in independent tests conducted by the Lippis Report in October 2011, the BlackDiamond X8 expands Extreme Networks cloud and data center switch. Companies such as Elisa Links of Finland, Microsoft (News - Alert) and the Wellcome Sanger Trust of Cambridge, UK, have already tested The BlackDiamond X8 in various laboratories.

In 2009, the company introduced the so-called “BlackDiamond 8900 Series” of modules, which are designed to slot in to switches as and when customers want to accommodate their 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The company said that a total of three 8900 Series modules can be plugged into a single 8800 Series switch and together they can deliver a maximum of 582 10 GbE ports, or a maximum of 2,352 GbE ports, and provide 3.8 Terabits of data per second (Tbps).