Broadcom introduces a new generation of the StrataXGS Trident Ethernet switch portfolio, the Trident-II+ series

     Broadcom announced the introduction of a new generation of the StrataXGS Trident Ethernet switch portfolio, the Trident-II+ family. Optimized for the bandwidth, scalability, and efficiency requirements of 10GbE virtualized data centers, the highly integrated devices deliver 1.28 megabits per second (Tbps) switching performance, reduce power consumption by 30 percent, and double the performance of data center virtualized overcovers such as VXLAN.

     In today's enterprise data centers, more than 60 percent of servers are still networked using Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) 3. Over the next four years, most server ports are expected to transition to 10GbE 3. With Broadcom's Trident-II+ family, network Oems can achieve this transition with a complete portfolio of feature-rich, high-density 10GbE top-of-frame (ToR) blades and aggregation switches optimized for enterprise applications.
The Trident-II+ family of products is based on the 28 nanometer (nm) process, as it uses Broadcom's industry-leading StrataXGS architecture and improves Broadcom's industry-leading switch chips, making them easy to use, low power consumption, and high efficiency. A wide range of feature and performance upgrades were also introduced.

     Ram Velaga, senior vice president and general manager of Broadcom's Network Switches division, said: "Over the past five years, generations of StrataXGS Trident products have facilitated the adoption of 10GbE networking technology in the cloud and very large data centers through standard, cost-effective, and commercial chip-based platforms. Our new Trident-II+ family of products offers cost-effective, high-performance and virtualized capabilities to lead this transition in enterprise data centers worldwide."

     Designed for enterprise data centers of all sizes, the Trident-II+ family offers the industry's most comprehensive and field-proven network virtualization feature set. These include single-pass VXLAN routing, which doubles the performance of all network topology gateways, and support for pre-standard GENEVE coverage.

     Hatem Naguib, vice president of networking and security at VMware, said: "The collaboration between Broadcom and VMware aims to identify and build reliable underlay-overlay technologies so that today's customers can deploy fully virtualized networks for greater operational efficiency. Most enterprises using the VMware NSX™ network virtualization platform on physical networks based on StrataXGS Trident-II+ will receive best-in-class VXLAN support and future support for Geneve - enabling efficient, secure and flexible data center networks."

     The Trident II+ family complements Broadcom's latest StrataXGS Tomahawk and StrataDNX switch system-level chips by providing 100GbE connectivity between the backbone layer and racks. It also supports 10GbE connectivity to servers deployed in enterprise and private clouds.

     Seamus Crehan, president of Crehan Research, said: "Right now, enterprise data centers are still in the early stages of large-scale upgrades to 10GbE servers and 10GbE top-of-frame switches. At the same time, the demand for cost-effective 100GbE core switches is growing in enterprise data centers. As servers and switches need to be upgraded at the same time, we expect enterprise data centers to see strong demand for optimized high-density 10GbE switches and 100GbE uplinks over the next 10 years."

     Power consumption and heat dissipation are also top priorities in modern data centers. The Trident II+ family of products reduces the power consumption of existing Trident-II products across the network - up to 30 percent per typical top-of-rack switch chipset. For enterprise data centers hosting 300 overhead switches, this could potentially help organizations save more than 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of power per year, resulting in improved IT efficiency and lower operating expenses.