Rapier 48 is ideal for workgroup aggregation and other high-density Layer 3 applications

June 12, 2001- Allied Telesyn International (www.alliedtelesyn.com), a worldwide leader in simplifying networking for businesses of all sizes, today announced that its high-performance Rapier 48 Layer 3 switch is now shipping. With 48 10/100Base-TX ports and two front-panel expansion bays for Gigabit Ethernet uplinks, this latest Rapier switch is ideal for desktop and workgroup wiring closet aggregation and backbone connectivity.

Like all Rapier Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Layer 3 switches, the Rapier 48 is built around high-performance, 200Mhz, RISC processors and switching ASICs with 32-bit, 33Mhz, PCI bus technology that executes the switch management, routing protocols and security software. Designed as a compact, 1.5U 19" rackmount unit, all Rapier switches can accommodate a variety of Gigabit Ethernet expansion modules, as well as an external redundant power supply (RPS) option. There are also -48V DC versions of each model to meet TELCO central office requirements.

"In Rapier Layer 3 switches, Allied Telesyn has built a switch family that combines rich functionality, formidable performance and aggressively competitive pricing to deliver unquestionable value to networks seeking advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 IP switching and routing capabilities," said Jim Berthot, Allied Telesyn’s Head of the Americas and Senior Vice-President. "The Rapier 48 breaks into the high-density space, bringing the benefits of Rapier to larger networks and enterprises."

Designed and manufactured by Allied Telesyn, the Rapier 48 is preceded in the market by three L3 Rapier switches that provide solutions to medium-density Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connections in both copper and fiber. The first of the Rapier family, the Rapier 24, began shipping in October 2000, followed by the 16-port all-fiber Rapier 16f, and the backbone-boosting 6-port Layer 3 Rapier G6 Gigabit switch, all with 2 additional Gigabit uplink ports. This family of Layer 3 switches exploits Allied Telesyn’s proven software expertise to deliver a non-blocking, wire-speed IP switching solutions at a compelling price point. At its U.S. MSRP of $4,695, the Rapier 48 prices out at just $98 per port,¹ once again putting the advantages offered by Layer 3 – traffic management for data, voice and video – within reach for more networks.

"Rapier is lighting the Layer 3 switch market on fire," added Berthot. "And we’re not just blowing our own horn – independent research says it’s faster and more accurate than the competition², and industry press reports are glowing.^3,4"

Allied Telesyn will continue to build upon the Rapier family of switches, and will continue to design them for speed, efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Loaded with standard Layer 2 features such as a robust management set, 802.1p traffic prioritization, 802.1Q VLAN tagging, IGMP snooping; and Layer 3 features such as IP RIPv1/v2 and OSPF, the Rapier family sports advanced routing protocols; IPX, AppleTalk, IGMP/DVMRP, PIM-DM/SM and RSVP, too. Allied Telesyn’s Stateful Inspection Firewall software and hardware accelerator cards for encryption/compression are also available as options. All models are available with a -48V DC power supply to meet the special requirements of telephone companies and Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) co-located installations.