Extreme Networks Inc. will debut its line of high-performance Aspen 8800 enterprise LAN switches this week designed with a two-tier network architecture aimed at delivering voice-class availability and high levels of security to the network edge.

The Aspen switch line offers voice-class availability with a redundant system design, a non-stop operating system (ExtremeWare XOS), and network resilient protocols. The new switch has high density line rate Gigabit and 10 Gigabit ports, high density PoE (power over Ethernet) support, low latency and jitter support, and integrated wired and wireless networking access. The new switch is available with a six-slot or 10-slot chassis and includes integrated security features. Aspen supports four modules: 24-port Gigabit Ethernet, 48-port Gigabit, 48-port Gigabit with PoE, and four-port 10 Gigabit. Security features include user and host integrity, threat detection and response, and a hardened infrastructure.

The Aspen switches are Extreme"s second product line to use its ExtremeWare XOS modular operating system, which debuted with its BlackDiamond 10K core switches in December 2003.

Designed to accommodate the growth of VoIP (voice over IP) and the concurrent growth of malicious traffic, Extreme officials believe the voice-quality connections, continuous uptime, and stronger security is leading to two-tier network architectures that will replace today"s three-tiered designs. The new switch would connect directly to client devices such as PCs, wireless access points, and IP phones and replace the typical "pizza-box" fixed configuration switches used in most networks, said Varun Nagaraj, vice president of product management at Extreme.

?Since Aspen eliminates access layer limitations, users can now finally benefit from the simplicity of a two-tier network,? said Nagaraj. ?Our Aspen switch eliminates such compromises as Power over Ethernet, density, security, and performance that users had to settle for in the past,? he said.

As a result, networks can be significantly simplified, making them easier to secure and manage, he said. Nagaraj said two-tier architecture won"t work for all enterprises, but that Aspen can also be used in standard three-tier networks as well.

The Aspen 8800 Series is available now. Pricing for a Gigabit system with PoE starts at US$350 per port and $3,500 per port for a 10 Gigabit system.