ONPATH Launches New Switching Blade Optimized for Gigabit Ethernet Applications

MARLTON, N.J., Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ONPATH Technologies, the leader in scalable connectivity and monitoring solutions for high performance networks, today announced the release of a new, cost-optimized blade option called the G-Blade. The G-Blade rounds out ONPATH's blade offerings by providing a lower cost option to automate Layer 1 connectivity in test labs and data centers.  

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Offering up to 48 SFP ports of connectivity per blade, the G-Blade is intended as a low-cost, low-speed alternative to ONPATH's universal switching blade (S-Blade). The S-Blade provides any-to-any connectivity supporting Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SONET/SDH applications in a single blade across a range of data rates from 1Gbps to 10Gbps. The G-Blade is targeted specifically for 1 Gigabit Ethernet applications and is priced at half the cost of an S-Blade. All of the additional UCS 3900 released blade features, such as non-blocking any-to-any switching, dynamic TAP and multicast, port flapping, connection scheduling, and redundant controllers are maintained in the new G-Blade. The G-Blade is available with stand-alone SFP ports or any mix of pre-installed copper RJ-45, multimode fiber, or singlemode fiber interfaces.  

Designed to operate in the same physical UCS 3900 chassis as the company's other switching blades, including the S-Blade and all-optical O-Blade, the G-Blade can be managed locally or remotely through ONPATH's HorizON management software in the newest 2.3 Release. The HorizON platform provides centralized control of the UCS system, enabling network and lab managers to automate connectivity across their lab or data center, dramatically improving productivity.  All of the drag-and-drop, point-and-click, or table-driven GUI connection management features are supported across all of the 3900 chassis and blade families, enabling a seamless management and simple user interface.  

"We've had great customer success with our S-blade and its flexible any-rate support," said Gene Litt, Vice President of Marketing for ONPATH. "However, some customers are very sensitive to cost for their Gigabit Ethernet applications. In response to customer demand, we are pleased to offer the new, low-cost G-Blade, while still providing all the high-performance connectivity and monitoring benefits of an integrated ONPATH solution."  

The UCS 3900 is a family of scalable physical layer switching systems for high-performance connectivity and monitoring applications – offering the smallest, most flexible and future proof platform on the market. HorizON, ONPATH's software solution, coupled with the company's UCS product line, adds the highest levels of network intelligence, user simplicity, and system security. Together, the solution is the industry's leading platform for Cloud Networking, Network Monitoring, Test Automation, and Cyber Security applications.

About ONPATH

ONPATH Technologies is the leading provider of scalable connectivity and monitoring solutions for high-performance networks. ONPATH's Universal Connectivity System and HorizON Software deliver an advanced platform that automates and secures data center and test infrastructure to help network managers conserve time, increase utilization, and save money compared to manual patching or complex mesh switching architectures. ONPATH currently has over one million installed ports throughout Fortune 1,000 and Government customers. For more information, visit www.onpathtech.com.

SOURCE ONPATH Technologies