More Details on Dell EMC's GigE Switches

By Paula Bernier
Executive Editor, TMC

Dell (News - Alert) EMC recently made available new open networking switches that deliver multi gigabit Ethernet for campus networks. They can work with existing cabling.

That includes the new N2128PX-ON (News - Alert) switches. The N2000 switch series offers a power-efficient gigabit Ethernet network access switching solution with integrated 10 gigabit Ethernet uplinks, Dell EMC (News - Alert) explains. They offer simple management and scalability via a 40 gigabit per second stacking    architecture. That architecture allows users to employ a single IP address to manage up to four of the switches. And the switch features an integrated 80PLUS-certified power supply.

“In addition to enabling multi-gig 2.5/5GbE connections over existing Cat5e and Cat6 cabling, the N3132PX-ON and N2128PX-ON switches bring Open Networking (ONIE) to the campus; enabling support for third-party operating systems as well as shipping with Dell OS6,” Jeremy Erwin explained earlier this year.

Elaborating on the open networking aspect of Dell EMC solutions, Tom Burns, senior vice president of networking for the enterprise infrastructure and service provider business at the company, explained that separating networking system software from hardware frees companies from the proprietary and rigid environments of the past and enables them to embrace software-defined principles and to unlock innovation and allow for more efficient scale.

The N3132PX-ON and N2128PX-ON switches offer up to 32 PoE 60W connections and 10GbE ports. And there are 40GbE uplinks on the N3132PX-ON. The switches also can work with 802.11ac Wave 2 W Series Dell wireless access points.

In January, Aquantia (News - Alert) Corp. announced that Dell EMC Networking had selected its multi-Gig AQrate PHY products for use in the N-Series family of open networking campus switches.

“Aquantia is honored to have the opportunity to work with Dell EMC and its new N-Series family of Open Networking campus switches,” said Faraj Aalaei (News - Alert), Chairman and CEO of Aquantia. “By combining our AQrate technology with Dell EMC’s Open Networking systems, we can help unlock unmatched choice and capability when it comes to end-user and campus networks. This design win is another example of Aquantia’s traction in the rapidly expanding enterprise market, which further solidifies our position as a leading supplier of high-speed Ethernet connectivity solutions.”