Large European Internet Exchange Expands Force10 Footprint by Selecting Core Switch/Routers to Power Network Infrastructure

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Force10 Networks, Inc., a global technology leader, today announced that DE-CIX, the largest Internet exchange in Central and Eastern Europe, has selected its ExaScale® E-Series™ virtualized core switch/router to gain the increased 10 GbE port density required to satisfy the needs of its growing customer base.

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"To support our growth in Peering traffic, which is generated by more than 400 customers, we require a switch infrastructure that can seamlessly scale, provide intuitive management, all while adding minimal footprint within our data centers," says Arnold Nipper, founder and chief technology officer, DE-CIX. "We look forward to continuing the good relationship with Force10. Our engineering staff is confident that our network infrastructure is well positioned to serve our customers for the foreseeable future."

DE-CIX Migrates Infrastructure to its Second Force10 Platform

In 2006, the Frankfurt, Germany-based DE-CIX installed chassis-based TeraScale™ E-Series switch/routers to satisfy its growing number of Internet service provider (ISP) customers. Maintaining a high quality of service without compromising performance or reliability meant deploying Force10's latest-generation virtualized core switch/router with increased 10 GbE port density. Today, Force10 solutions provide DE-CIX services to better than 400 ISPs from more than 45 countries. The E1200s are expected to accommodate future growth as the core switch/routers are able to scale up to 1,260 GbE, 224 10 GbE and 28 40 GbE ports per chassis with L2 and L3 access control lists (ACLs) on all ports.

Participation in Carbon Offset Program Helps Environment While Lowering Costs

DE-CIX's deployment of ExaScale E1200s also provided the Internet exchange with an opportunity to lower power costs even as it increased its network port capacity. DE-CIX is participating in the Force10 Carbon-Balanced Switch/Router Initiative, which provides customers with carbon credits to offset energy consumption when using the core switch/routers. The program calls for Force10 to retire verified carbon credits to balance the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from an ExaScale's electricity consumption for an entire year. Force10 offers its customers the opportunity to retire carbon credits to balance emissions in subsequent years. Force10 contracts with TerraPass, a third-party carbon offset provider, to offset the associated carbon footprint for customers participating in the program.

"Internet exchanges, such as DE-CIX, maintain a delicate balancing act between providing high performance and ultra-low latency while simultaneously managing costs," says Arpit Joshipura, chief marketing officer, Force10 Networks. "The ExaScale architecture is built to help maintain that balance by providing the port density that offers seamless scalability as their customer base continues to grow and demand high-quality service."

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 solutions are designed to deliver new economics by virtualizing and automating Ethernet networks. Force10's high density and resilient Ethernet switching and routing products increase 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.

About DE-CIX

DE-CIX is the carrier neutral and independent Internet Exchange in Frankfurt/Germany. Founded in 1995, DE-CIX has established an environment for the bilateral settlement free exchange of Internet traffic (peering). The company is serving 400+ carriers and ISPs from 45+ nations including all leading international players.  With 1.5+ Tbps of switched traffic DE-CIX is the largest Internet Exchange in the world.  DE-CIX is your one-stop-shop for Peering and Colocation right in the heart of Europe.

Force10 Networks, the Force10 Networks logo, Force10, E-Series, Traverse, and TraverseEdge are registered trademarks and ExaScale, S-Series, TeraScale, S4810, FTOS, Open Automation, JumpStart, SwitchLink, SmartScripts, and HyperLink, are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Force10 Networks, Inc.