Nemertes Impact Analysis:
Extreme Networks (NASDAQ:EXTR) new BlackDiamond 8900-xl line cards and Summit X480 stackable edge switches [1] offer 512K MAC address tables, to deal with network flattening caused by virtualization. Virtualization architecture (virtual NICs and ports) and implementation (many MAC addresses per domain) can drive up layer 2 switching requirements, and Extreme is offering 2-4x the MAC table space of current switches.
Today, 93% of organizations are deploying server virtualization [2], averaging 7-10 virtual machines per virtual server. As large enterprises, cloud providers and managed hosting providers move to virtualization at scale, physical network switches will push against address table limitations.
Impacts::
Enterprises: Model your layer 2 networks to project any potential address table limitations.
Vendors: Extreme is throwing down a gauntlet for 3Com (NASDAQ:COMS), Brocade (NASDAQ:BRCD), Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO), Juniper (NYSE:JNPR), HP (NYSE:HPQ) and privately held Arista Networks, Blade Network Technologies and Force10 Networks.
Investors: A possible game changing requirement driving close vetting of all high-end data center switch investments; the fortunes of smaller, high-end vendors including Arista, Blade, and Force10 may hinge on their reaction.
Ted Ritter, Senior Research Analyst
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Links:
[1] http://www.ctoedge.com/content/extreme-networks-redefines-high-end-switching
[2] http://www.nemertes.com/benchmarks/desktop_and_server_virtualization_benchmark
[3] http://www.nemertes.com/research_notes_0
[4] http://twitter.com/nemertes