Vitesse Enables Design of Low-cost Switches by Bringing Managed Layer 2 Functionality to SparX(TM) 16- and 24-port Gigabit Ethernet Switches

Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ:VTSS), the market leader inGigabit Ethernet ICs, today announced availability of its WebSparX 2.0switch software, launched in conjunction with production availabilityof the SparX-G16(TM) and SparX-G24(TM), the world's only integrated16- and 24-port switch-on-a-chip products. Together, the SparX deviceswith the WebSparX 2.0 software enable the design of low-cost smartSmall/Medium Business and Small/Medium Enterprise (SMB/SME) switchesthat offer the features of fully managed switches while reducing thebill of materials (BOM) of the system. By eliminating the need forexternal processing and memory resources, developers can deliver asmart switch with advanced Layer 2 capabilities at a fraction of thecost for a fully managed switch.

In the past, IT administrators had to use a serial port to connectsmart switches to a portable laptop and use a clumsy command lineinterface for manual configuration and management. Today's Layer 2switches must be WebSmart, providing an embedded web server allowingnetwork administrators to manage a network (such as setting up ports,configuring VLANs, or downloading statistics) all from a remotebrowser. To enable advanced management capabilities, developers had tointroduce an external CPU and memory subsystem to implement even themost basic Layer 2 functions, significantly increasing overall switchcost. Additionally, the low-cost drive of SMB/SME applications oftenled OEMs to use CPUs that could offer only limited Layer 2 processing.

"We continue to deliver on our promise to keep our customerscompetitive by offering highly integrated switch SoCs and softwaresolutions that support the latest standards and advanced featuresrequired by today's networks," said Claus Stetter, product linedirector for Vitesse's Ethernet Products Division. "With the releaseof WebSparX 2.0, our customers can design managed 16- and 24-portswitches at a fraction of the cost of competitive offerings withsimilar features."

Integrated Hardware and Software Minimize Cost

Vitesse is the only vendor offering a switch with an integratedCPU and comprehensive software capable of providing managed Layer 2functionality. With WebSparX 2.0 for its SparX family of switches,Vitesse enables three key managed switch functions that stabilize andimprove previous desktop switch configurations for SMB/SMEapplications: Link Aggregation, Spanning Tree, and Security.

Link Aggregation: Today's aggregated traffic between users andin-house data centers easily exceeds a single Gigabit Ethernet linkbandwidth. Dynamic Link Aggregation support between the central switchand wiring closet makes it possible for the network administrator todynamically scale the bandwidth and provide a failover mechanism whena link goes down.

Spanning Tree: Loops within a network (that is, when there aremultiple paths between two switches) can quickly bring down a network.While it is very simple to create a loop, it can be extremelydifficult to locate and cut them manually. Switches that support RapidSpanning Tree Protocol (R/STP) can automatically locate and cut loops.In addition to increasing network reliability, R/STP also simplifiesnetwork expansion by automatically discovering new equipment as it isattached.

Security: Support for 802.1X port security is an essential switchrequirement for maintaining overall network security. 802.1X enables anetwork to route all users to a RADIUS server for authentication.Switches that do not support 802.1X create network vulnerabilities atthe edge by leaving unprotected ports over which data may be stolen ora virus attack launched.

SparX switch devices are capable of delivering all of thesefeatures simultaneously without impacting wire speed forwarding, afeat that cannot be achieved by architectures employing a low-cost,external CPU. Additionally, OEMs can upgrade already deployedequipment with the latest version of WebSparX 2.0 software tointroduce these features to existing networks.

Availability and Pricing

Version 2.0 of Vitesse's WebSparX is available immediately for allSparX switch devices including the SparX-G16 and SparX-G24 nowshipping in production volumes and priced at $48.00 and $64.00 USD,respectively. There is no charge for the software, and it is royaltyand license-free. WebSparX 2.0 is distributed as source code, givingOEMs maximum flexibility in their switch designs.

About the Gigabit Ethernet Products Division

Vitesse is the preeminent supplier to OEMs designing tomorrow'snew wave broadband products. With the industry's most far-reachingoffering of tightly integrated, ultra-low power Gigabit Ethernetdevices, and a staunch commitment to Gigabit Ethernet, the companycontinues to set the pace of innovation across market sectors.

About Vitesse

Vitesse designs, develops, and markets a diverse portfolio ofhigh-performance, cost-competitive semiconductor solutions forcommunications and storage networks worldwide. Engineering excellenceand dedicated customer service distinguish Vitesse as an industryleader in Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Ethernet-over-SONET, AdvancedSwitching, Fibre Channel, Serial Attached SCSI, Optical Transport, andother applications. Vitesse innovation empowers customers to deliversuperior products for Enterprise, Access, Metro, and Coreapplications. Additional company and product information is availableat www.vitesse.com.

Vitesse is a registered trademark and SparX, SparX-G16, SparX-G24and WebSparX are trademarks in the United States and/or otherjurisdictions of Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. All othertrademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the propertyof their respective holders.

Note to editors: For additional information about the world'sfirst fully integrated, Gigabit Ethernet Switch SoCs and WebSparXsoftware:

Gigabit Ethernet Technology Center: www.vitesse.com/ethernet

VSC7389 (SparX-G16):http://www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7389

VSC7390 (SparX-G24):http://www.vitesse.com/products/product.php?number=VSC7390