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Brocade (News - Alert), a provider of comprehensive network solutions, is advancing well in campus LAN technology. The company calls its new vision “The Effortless Network,” which is built from the innovations found in Brocade HyperEdge technology.

Brocade also confirmed the availability of two additions to the Brocade ICX switch family to support the company's advancements in campus LAN technology.

The Effortless Network simplifies network architecture and automates configuration and management tasks, while providing enterprise-grade flexibility, security, and scalability for wired and wireless access.

As indicated, the Effortless Network is based on three main pillars: dramatically simplified and automated access layer networks to significantly reduce operational overhead and enable IT to respond to business needs in real-time; unmatched scalability and upgradeability to accommodate emerging applications and IT imperatives for the next decade, extending the life of the network infrastructure; no-compromise solutions that deliver enterprise-class functionality and availability at a tremendous business value.

HyperEdge technology is noted to be a breakthrough campus LAN innovation with two game-changing advances -- mix-and-match stacking and single-point management that deliver new levels of simplicity and manageability to the campus LAN.

HyperEdge technology promises to enhance a wide range of current campus LAN-based applications, such as unified communications and security, while paving the way for emerging applications such as “Bring Your Own Device” enterprise mobility, rich video and virtual desktop infrastructure. HyperEdge technology will also have wide applicability across key enterprise customer environments, such as education and healthcare, which rely on campus LANs to perform many business operations.

HyperEdge technology key feature single-point management enables users to manage their entire access switching layer as if it were a single device, from initial deployment to ongoing configuration, software upgrades and monitoring. The primary goal of the technology is to dramatically reduce the cost and time required to manage the campus network lifecycle. It also improves compliance by ensuring consistent policy among all access layer ports, and increases network availability by reducing human error, which is the number one cause of network downtime.

Another key feature is mix-and-match stacking that allows users to build a stack of edge switches that delivers both basic connectivity and premium services at cost points never before seen. Users can mix and match premium and entry-level switches within a single stack, so that entry-level switches inherit all of the feature richness of the premium switches in the stack. This unique capability allows users to build stacks that cost far less and provide greater investment protection than any competitive offerings on the market today. This approach can also significantly extend the lifespan of the switching infrastructure, said the company in a statement.

In its release, Brocade also said that its HyperEdge technology will be made available on the stackable switch portfolio, including the Brocade ICX and Brocade FCX switch families, through a simple software upgrade once it becomes available from the coming year.

Mentioning about the new Brocade ICX 6430 Switch and Brocade ICX 6450 Switch, company statement emphasized that they feature full stacking capabilities, a rich set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality and the ability to support advanced features such as Energy-efficient Ethernet and MACsec encryption for link-level data protection.

Available in 24- and 48-port 1GbE models, with optional 1/10GbE uplink/stacking ports, the ICX 6430 and 6450 can stack up to 384 ports for unprecedented entry level stack densities and functionality.

The Brocade ICX 6430 and 6450 are made available directly through Brocade and its channel partners with at a starting list price of $1,295 USD. Additionally, company has also provisioned for the Multi-Chassis Trunking capabilities are also available for the Brocade FastIron SX switches. HyperEdge technology is planned to be available for purchase in the first half of 2013. All Brocade ICX and Brocade FCX switches are HyperEdge technology-ready.