Ethernet Switches provide network diagnostic capabilities.
Press Release Summary:
Designed to reduce network downtime in SOHO and SMB markets, 5-port BCM5397 and 8-port BCM5398 ROBOSwitch(TM) Gigabit Ethernet switches provide QoS/queuing, rapid spanning tree, 802.1Q VLAN with double tagging, rate control, IGMP snooping, and 802.1x security. With integrated PHYs for all ports, switches feature CableChecker that identifies location of wiring faults without disrupting network traffic and LoopDTech that provides immediate warning when loop is introduced in network.
Original Press Release:
Broadcom Announces New Gigabit Ethernet Switches that Self-Diagnose Problems in Home and Small Business Networks
First 5-port and 8-port GbE Switches to Incorporate CableChecker(TM) and LoopDTech(TM) Technology
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 7 -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors, today announced its next-generation of 5-port and 8-port ROBOSwitch(TM) Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch products that are optimized for the small office/home office (SOHO) and small-to-medium-sized business (SMB) networks. These highly integrated Broadcom® ROBOSwitch products enable cost-optimized Gigabit switching solutions for customers upgrading from Fast Ethernet (FE). The products provide innovative network diagnosis capabilities that can simplify the transition to Gigabit Ethernet over existing wiring. Focused on reducing network downtime, these GbE switches are ideally suited for unmanaged and lightly managed SMB networks, and for broadband access embedded applications such as cable, ADSL and wireless routers, and passive optical networks (PON).
Installing local area networks (LANs) can be frustrating and costly for home and small business owners, as it is difficult to diagnose and fix wiring problems. This results in network downtime, unnecessary support costs and reduced productivity. One common problem is the presence of a network "loop"- in some cases a simple error such as an incorrectly attached cable can crash the entire network. Transitioning a network from FE to GbE may bring new issues, as substandard wiring may work improperly with Gigabit signaling. If the source of the problem is not immediately apparent to the user, it often leads to calls to IT support or customer service, and in some cases product returns. To alleviate this problem, Broadcom has incorporated new technologies in this latest generation of ROBOSwitch products. Broadcom's CableChecker technology finds the location of wiring faults without disrupting live network traffic. Broadcom's LoopDTech technology provides immediate warning when a loop is introduced in the network, allowing the problem to be identified and fixed quickly. These functions are automatic and require no configuration by the user.
"In the SOHO and SMB markets, there is high demand for simple, reliable solutions that can reduce network problems and minimize downtime," said Martin Lund, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Network Switching Business Unit. "Our cost-optimized and feature-rich GbE switches self-diagnose wiring problems, simplify network installation, and will further accelerate the transition to Gigabit Ethernet in homes and small offices."
Highly Integrated, Feature-Rich Solution
Announced today is Broadcom's new 5-port BCM5397 Gigabit Ethernet switch and 8-port BCM5398 Gigabit Ethernet switch. Broadcom's next-generation GbE switches have fully-integrated PHYs for all ports, resulting in a lower cost and a smaller footprint design that is easy to implement. The products integrate new intelligent features for unmanaged networks, including LoopDTech and CableChecker. For lightly managed applications, the BCM5397 and BCM5398 are the most fully featured 5- or 8-port GbE switches available, as they provide quality of service (QoS)/queuing, rapid spanning tree, 802.1Q VLAN with double tagging, rate control, IGMP snooping, 802.1x security, and numerous other functions. These products are ideal for unmanaged and lightly managed GbE workgroup switch designs, as well as for Gigabit-enabled home gateways.
Availability
Broadcom's 5-port BCM5397 and 8-port BCM5398 are currently sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors. Our products enable the convergence of high- speed data, high definition video, voice and audio at home, in the office and on the go. Broadcom provides manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices with the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on- a-chip and software solutions. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with annual revenue of more than $2 billion. The company is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at www.broadcom.com.
Broadcom Trade Press Contact
Mike He
Public Relations Manager
408-922-8083
mhe@broadcom.com
Broadcom Technical Contact
Eric Yeh
Senior Product Line Manager
408-922-8057
ericyeh@broadcom.com
Source: Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Enterprise Networking
Web site: www.broadcom.com/
