Enterasys Networks Announces New "Bookend" Offerings for Access Edge Portfolio

ANDOVER, Mass., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterasys Networks, a Siemens Enterprise Communications Company, today announced the Enterasys K-Series, the company's newest modular switching family, designed to deliver exceptional levels of automation, visibility and control at the network edge, as well as the Enterasys A-Series A4 next-generation stackable switch platform, with new high availability and built-in automation features.  The two new offerings represent both ends of the Enterasys "access edge" tier portfolio spectrum.    

"The products we announced today continue the expansion of the Enterasys access edge portfolio and provide premier switching technology for entry-level connectivity up through the high end of the network edge, while giving all customers robust automation, enhanced visibility and control," said Chris Crowell, president and CEO of Enterasys Networks. "The new K-Series combines the flexibility and expandability of a modular switch with premium features optimized for edge deployments that are not available in competitive products. With the A4, Enterasys extends its industry-leading policy capabilities across its complete family of switches.  Considering the wide range of customer requirements for access edge connectivity, these new offerings combined with the existing Enterasys portfolio give customers the ability to choose switching solutions that align with their business needs."

Enterasys K-Series

The Enterasys K-Series delivers exceptional levels of automation, visibility and control at the network edge, providing customers with significantly reduced operational costs while still offering premium features.  Those features help IT address the challenges associated with the consumerization of IT, including "bring your own device" programs that require more robust location, identification and overall management capabilities. The K-Series is uniquely suited to intelligently manage individual user, device and application conversations, while providing the visibility and management to troubleshoot connectivity issues, locate devices, and ensure protection of corporate data.

Enterasys A-Series A4

The Enterasys A4, the newest addition to the Enterasys A-Series family, is designed for entry-level connectivity while delivering enterprise-class performance, reliability, and embedded video/voice/data prioritization.  The Enterasys A4 is a next-generation 10/100 stackable switch with high-availability, robust management controls and built-in automation features to meet the needs of demanding business applications.  

With the introduction of user-based access controls to the Enterasys A4, the unique Enterasys automation features will now be found across the entire Enterasys switching and routing family, from the entry-level A-Series all the way up to the premium S-Series family. Along with its automation capabilities, the Enterasys A4 provides customers with an open, standards-based solution that works well in multi-vendor environments and reduces the cost and deployment time associated with VoIP, video and user provisioning.

Enterasys Network Management Suite (NMS) and CoreFlow2

The Enterasys K-Series uses the unique Enterasys CoreFlow2 custom ASIC technology which provides greater visibility into critical business applications and the ability to enable better controls to meet the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) demanded by the business.  Furthermore, the Enterasys Network Management Suite (NMS) enables centralized and granular control of enterprise network resources for all customers.  NMS reaches beyond ports and VLANs down to individual users, applications, and protocols.  

"Enterasys has always been ahead of the curve in embedding network control capabilities into its products," said Paula Musich, senior analyst at Current Analysis. "With this announcement, Enterasys is continuing do so as part of its edge portfolio, from the entry-level A-Series up to the advanced K-Series switches. That consistency helps customers reduce their network administration overhead and improve response times for critical applications such as CRM and unified communications."

Pricing and Availability

The Enterasys A4, starting at a US list price of $699, and the Enterasys K-Series, starting at a US list price of $26,685, will be generally available in June 2011.  The Enterasys A4 and K-Series switches will be on display at the Interop 2011 show in Las Vegas from May 8-12.

Resources:

• Enterasys A-Series
• Enterasys K-Series
• Enterasys Network Management Suite (NMS)
• Enterasys CoreFlow2 Technology Strategy Brief

About Enterasys Networks and Siemens Enterprise Communications

Siemens Enterprise Communications is a premier provider of end-to-end enterprise communications, including voice, network infrastructure and security solutions that use open, standards-based unified communications and business applications for a seamless collaboration experience. This award-winning "Open Communications" approach enables organizations to improve productivity and reduce costs through easy-to-deploy solutions that work within existing IT environments, delivering operational efficiencies. It is the foundation for the company's OpenPath® commitment that enables customers to mitigate risk and cost-effectively adopt unified communications. Jointly owned by The Gores Group and Siemens AG, Siemens Enterprise Communications includes Cycos and Enterasys Networks. For more information about Siemens Enterprise Communications or Enterasys please visit www.siemens-enterprise.com or www.enterasys.com.

SOURCE Enterasys Networks