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Alcatel-Lucent Targets SMEs and Service Providers with New Ethernet Switches

Alcatel-Lucent has introduced the OmniSwitch 6400 family of stackable, layer 2+ Gigabit Ethernet LAN switches that the company says are tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises, branch offices or for carrier Ethernet access applications.

The OmniSwitch 6400 is the data networking piece of Alcatel-Lucent’s recently announced Office Communication Solutions (OCS) offer. The OCS is Alcatel-Lucent’s SMB solution portfolio, providing businesses with the IP infrastructure, communication, mobility, collaboration and knowledge sharing features needed to become dynamic enterprises. Additionally, the OmniSwitch 6400 is an important component in service provider carrier ethernet access managed services as the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment). The OmniSwitch 6400 streamlines troubleshooting for service providers with its support of standards based Ethernet operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) and Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) certification.

“With the OmniSwitch 6400 products, we’ve created an offering that meets the broad needs of our customers. OmniSwitch 6400 brings enterprises sophisticated network features and security in an expandable switch for the edge of small or medium campus, and service providers an outstanding ethernet access device for wide-ranging customer services including IPTV or triple play offerings, all of this in a form factor that will help to lower power-related operating expenses,” said Eric Penisson, vice president of product management for Alcatel-Lucent enterprise activities. “The switches offer a complete LAN solution, or can be integrated into our broader voice and unified communications solutions.”

The OmniSwitch 6400 family consists of six models, each offering 24 or 48 triple-speed ports. Each model contains two 10-Gigabit Ethernet stacking ports and up to four Gigabit Ethernet combo ports (RJ45/SFP). Up to eight switches can be stacked with virtual chassis redundancy for a total capacity of 384 ports per stack. Both switch configurations are available with power over Ethernet capabilities for use with VoIP handsets or other Ethernet-powered devices.