Leading Automotive Internet Retailer Selects Force10 Networks' Switches to Build New Network Infrastructure

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Force10 Networks, Inc., a global technology leader that data center, service provider and enterprise customers rely on when the network is their business, today announced that leading automotive Internet retailer U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. has deployed its C-Series™ resilient switches and S-Series™ access switches as the high performance foundation for its network upgrade. Force10 S50s were initially deployed to replace their existing switching infrastructure at U.S. Auto Parts Network's corporate data center at its Carson, Calif. headquarters because it was not performing to their satisfaction. The company reported immediate value and, within months, Force10 was deployed in offices and data centers throughout North America.

"Our company was growing at a rate where our antiquated network simply proved inadequate and it became clear that we couldn't scale fast enough to support the employees and customers who rely on this network infrastructure," says Bill Avellan, director of IT, U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. "Deploying Force10 solutions brought immediate relief by lowering network latency and significantly increasing network availability, allowing us to build on our success."

As one of the leading Internet retailers of auto parts worldwide, network performance and reliability are crucial for maintaining employee productivity, which is closely tied to generating revenue and creating a positive brand identity. As the business continued to grow rapidly, the previous network of U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. suffered numerous outages or created unproductive latency.

Initially, U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. deployed resilient 48-port Force10 S50s in its core network and in support of overseas operations. The access switches proved highly effective in providing additional bandwidth with ultra-low latency to help minimize the network bottlenecks they were experiencing, especially during peak traffic periods.

With the rapid expansion of its domestic network, U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. re-deployed the S-Series to other parts of their network and deployed Force10 high performance C300 chassis switches at its primary data center as well as deploying C300s with power over Ethernet (POE) for its support operations. Following this effort, the company dramatically improved the agility and scalability of its network core based on the switches' high 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) port density and line-rate switching performance that today facilitates seamless growth while ensuring investment protection.

Upon the deployment of the C300s, employees using the network saw immediate improvement due to the switches' 5 microsecond switching latency under full load for 64 byte frames, while its switch fabric capacity of 1.536 Tbps helped eliminate any bandwidth-related issues. By providing 384 line-rate 10/100/1000Base-T ports with or without POE per chassis and as many as 64 line-rate 10 GbE ports, the C300 delivers industry-leading port density that enables seamless network expansion without having to immediately procure more network gear.

"U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. illustrates the direct correlation between reliable network performance and the ability to grow an Internet-based business," says Steve Garrison, vice president of marketing at Force10 Networks. "These types of businesses will continue to gain significant value from their network as their Force10 solutions provide the increased bandwidth and lower latency employees need to work more efficiently while facilitating a better buying experience for their customers."

About U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc.

Established in 1995, U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. is a leading online provider of automotive aftermarket parts, including body parts, engine parts, performance parts and accessories. Through the company's network of websites, U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. provides individual consumers with a broad selection of competitively priced products that are mapped by a proprietary product database to product applications based on vehicle makes, models and years. U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc.'s flagship Websites are located at www.autopartswarehouse.com, www.partstrain.com and www.automd.com and the company's corporate Website is located at www.usautoparts.net.

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is a global technology leader that data center, service provider and enterprise customers rely on when the network is their business. The company's high performance Ethernet switching and routing solutions virtualize and automate Ethernet networks to deliver new and distinct economic advantages by increasing network availability, agility and efficiency while reducing power and cooling costs. Force10 provides 24x7 service and support capabilities to its global customer base in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information on Force10 Networks, please visit www.force10networks.com.

Force10 Networks, the Force10 Networks logo, Force10, E-Series, Traverse, and TraverseEdge are registered trademarks and ExaScale, S-Series, TeraScale, and FTOS are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Force10 Networks