Extreme Networks Inc. unveiled 10-gigabit Ethernet (GbE) copper modules for its BlackDiamond X8 core switch and new copper versions of its Summit X670 top-of-rack fixed data center switches at this week’s Interop in Las Vegas.

According to the company, the new high-density copper switches are optimized to work with servers based on the Intel Xeon Processor E5 Family and 10 GbE LAN on motherboard (LOM) devices.

The Summit X670 switch will support 48 ports of wire-speed 10 GbE copper RJ45 with 40 GbE uplink capabilities; it will ship sometime this year. The BlackDiamond X8 copper blade will support 48 ports of wire-speed 10 GbE copper RJ45 with 384 total ports inside the chassis.

According to independent tests conducted in November 2011 by the Lippis Report, “Existing versions of the switch families were up to 10 times faster and used less half the power of other network vendors. Wide adoption of 10 GbE servers is important because it is expected to drive a new wave of 40 GbE network upgrades for next-generation data centers over time.”

"Investment protection is critical to new data-center operators," said Huy Nguyen, senior director/Product Management. "Data-center operators are always looking for ways to reuse cabling infrastructure when upgrading their networks to 10 GbE. Rip-and-replace is the last option for most data-center operators. The new BlackDiamond X8 blade and Summit X670 copper switch allow data-center customers to deploy the most cost-effective 10 GbE options using standard RJ45 copper jacks."

Adds Steve Schultz, director of marketing/Intel LAN Access Division, "Intel and Extreme Networks believe 10GBase-T copper switches will be a driver for cloud and data-center upgrades because of their simplicity, backwards compatibility with one gigabit switches, and low-cost copper cabling.”

He continues, "We are committed to driving 10GbE adoption, and the new 10GBase-T products from Extreme Networks will help with that evolution and serve as an excellent complement to our new 10GBase-T controller, the Intel Ethernet Controller X540."

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