BCM567X BOARDCOM [Broadcom Corporation.], BCM567X Datasheet - Page 7

• Manufacturer Part Number: BCM567X
• Description: A Scalable Approach to Gigabit Ethernet Switch Design
• Manufacturer: BOARDCOM [Broadcom Corporation.]

06/27/02
T
Enterprise network traffic volumes are accelerating quickly. As a result, organizations are seeking much faster LAN
connections—to gigabit speeds and beyond—not only in their campus backbones, but also in their wiring closets for high-
speed connectivity all the way to user desktops.
There are several application drivers behind the
exploding volumes of enterprise traffic. Businesses
are continuing to grow progressively more reliant on
their corporate networks for automating their
business processes. For example, Web-centric
applications, often multimedia in nature, have
emerged not only to reach employees across
corporate intranets, but also to enable enterprises to
communicate with their business partners across
extranets and to serve customers via the Internet.
Specifically, a few of the primary applications driving
gigabit-speed network requirements include
following:
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T
The sheer volume of traffic spilling onto corporate networks is driving Gigabit Ethernet switch requirements. The Dell'Oro
Group, for example, predicts that worldwide Ethernet switch sales will increase from $11.5 billion in 2001 to $18.9 billion in
2006. The firm attributes the predicted growth to the availability of 10-Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet over copper, and
Layer 3 Ethernet switching technologies. These market figures indicate that LAN switch makers are quickly coming under
market pressure to deliver their Gigabit Ethernet systems.
D
In this milieu, equipment-makers are faced with several challenges. These include being able to quickly build high-
availability, high-throughput devices that can scale to meet the needs of various-sized and growing businesses. Designers
also must be able to easily setup their devices in the configurations that match their target customer and application. These
configurations include the following:
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Document
HE
HE
ESIGN
Storage-area networks, which allow multiple
servers access to the same storage devices
connected by a multi gigabit-speed switch
Network-based
involving streaming media or interactive video
conferencing
Network-based transport for PC and server data
backup
IP PBXs, which enable the convergence of voice
and data on the corporate LAN
Stackable switches for wiring closet applications
Chassis-based systems for highly resilient backbone applications
Integrated switch/servers for high-speed server interconnections
Standalone or “fixed” switches for small/medium-sized enterprise applications
Unmanaged switches for small environments with no IT support
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LAN S
ARKET
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567x_569x-WP100-R
HALLENGES
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ANDSCAPE
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Bro adco m Co rp or atio n
*Combined 1-GE and 10-GE market opportunity
Source: Pioneer Consulting, LLC
Projected Gigabit Ethernet Growth*
2001
No. of Ports
(in millions)
5
104
2006
The LAN Switching Landscape
Equipment Sales
(in US $Billions)
$11.5
2001 2006
$18.9
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