Cisco Announce the Nexus 7000 Switching Platform

January 29, 2008: Cisco systems have announced their new series of switching platforms targeted squarely at the data centre market.

The Nexus 7000 series of platforms combine Ethernet, IP and storage units into the one network fabric. This is done using Ciscuc TrustSec architecture with the Nexus Operating system. Microsoft is currently testing the Nexus platforms in a laboratory environment to put the new technology through its paces.

"We appreciate the modular processes of the Cisco Nexus operating system designed to resolve problems in real time without impact to production traffic, as well as data center-class high-availability features and unified fabric support," said Debra Chrapaty, corporate vice president, Global Foundation Services, Microsoft.

The actual switching capacity will run at 15 terabits per second in a single chasis, with up to 10-gigabits-per-second (Gbps) Ethernet and future delivery of 40- and 100-Gbps Ethernet.

"Following the Catalyst model, Cisco also designed the Nexus platform with longevity in mind, providing ease of migration, investment protection, and a clear roadmap for future upgrades that will help virtualize IT services within the network." said Zeus Kerravala, senior vice president of enterprise research, Yankee Group.

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