Cisco To Ship 10-Gig Modules

Cisco today debuted its first 10-Gigabit Ethernet switching modules.

The two single-port modules are for use in the Catalyst 6500, Cisco's flagship Ethernet and Layer 3 switch.

A module that uses proprietary Cisco optics and supports 10-Gigabit connections for distances up to 50 kilometers is due to ship this month, priced at $79,995.

A module that will support IEEE draft-standard optics and initially supports connections up to 10 kilometers has been tabbed for availability in December, when the draft-standard-compliant transceivers become available. The module will support interchangable transceivers, including future draft-standard transceivers that will support distances up to 40 kilometers. The module permits interoperability with other vendors' 10-Gigabit products using the IEEE draft standards, said Bruce Tolley, Cisco's manager of emerging technologies. Cisco would not disclose pricing for the module.

Although the Catalyst 6500 is used by both enterprises and service providers, the 10-Gigabit capability is likely to used almost exclusively by metro-area service providers for some time, as 10-Gigabit will be bandwidth overkill for the large majority of enterprises.

Enterprises likely to consider the technology are those running heavy storage backups over metropolitan networks, such as large financial institutions, Tolley said.

At least one such financial customer is planning to deploy Cisco's 10-Gigabit technology, Tolley said.