Barcelona, Spain – 28 February 2012.

SMC Networks (www.smc.com), a leading provider of LAN hardware and broadband connectivity devices, today announces the launch of the SMCGS10C-Smart EZ Switch™, a 10/100/1000 10-port Gigabit Ethernet web smart switch providing eight Gigabit ports and two 100/1000BASE-X SFP slots. The SMCGS10P-Smart EZ Switch™, a Power over Ethernet (PoE) version, will be available in early March.

An ideal choice for SMB and SOHO operations migrating from unmanaged to managed networks, the SMCGS10C-Smart EZ Switch™ is easy to install, offers a user-friendly web interface that allows quick and simple configuration, and still delivers essential features such as enhanced security to protect your network, continuous availability to minimize network downtime, and IEEE 802.1 Q-in-Q VLAN tags, which are necessary for implementing Metro Ethernet network topologies. The switch also supports IGMP snooping, which is especially useful for bandwidth-intensive IP multicast applications such as IPTV.

The SMCGS10P-Smart EZ Switch™, the PoE version of the SMCGS10C-Smart switch, will combine the speed of Gigabit Ethernet with the flexibility of PoE and is ideal for businesses introducing VoIP, IP surveillance, and wireless installations by providing power to downstream devices ranging from phones and access points to IP cameras and other business equipment. IPv6-ready, it also allows a business to migrate smoothly to new technologies without incurring the corresponding costs of using a fully managed solution.

“SMC Networks is pleased to be able to introduce a new generation of EZ Switch™ Gigabit Ethernet web smart switches,“ comments Jo Chang, European Product Manager. “In the first half of 2012, we will unveil the first eight members of this new high-performance, cost-effective family of web smart PoE and non-PoE switches, including 18-, 26-, and 50-port models, with and without a PoE option. “

“The SMCGS10P-Smart EZ Switch™ can provide up to 30 Watts of power to VoIP phones, wireless access points, surveilance cameras, and similar attached devices, all over existing Cat. 5 cables,“ adds Ms. Chang. “This web smart PoE switch can deliver up to 30 Watts on 2 ports, 15.4 Watts on 4 ports, or 7.5 Watts on 8 ports. This eliminates the need for individual power sources for devices on the network, saving on costs for power cables and avoiding power outlet availability issues. And if the power demand exceeds the SMCGS10P-Smart’s maximum power budget, ports can be prioritized to receive power.”

Key Features and Benefits:

• IPv6 Ready

  The switches support both IPv4 and IPv6 management, thus reducing the need for extra investment in equipment in the future when IPv6 networks will replace today’s majority IPv4 networks. Advanced IPv6 features including IPv4/IPv6 dual protocol stack, IPv6 address types: unicast and multicast, IPv6 neighbor discovery, IPv6 Telnet/SNMP/HTTP/DHCP, and IPv6 Ping/tracert.

• Performance and Scalability

  These Gigabit Ethernet switches provide 20 Gbps wire-speed switching performance across all 10 ports, allowing the switches to fully support high-performance PCs, notebooks, tablets, and smart phones. The result is significantly improved application response time and speed for large file transfers. In addition, two Gigabit Ethernet 100/1000BASE-X SFP slots offer uplink flexibility for fiber connections to a network backbone.

• Enhanced Security

  Port security limits the number of devices that can access a switch port based on MAC address, and protects against MAC fooding attacks. IEEE 802.1X port-based or MAC-based access control ensures all users are authorized before being granted access to the network. User authentication is carried out using a standard-based RADIUS server, with support for dynamic VLAN assignment.

• Comprehensive QoS

  Support for eight egress queues per port enables differentiated management of up to eight traffic types. Traffic is prioritized according to 802.1p, DSCP, IP precedence, and TCP/UDP port number, facilitating optimal performance of real-time applications such as voice and vídeo. The switches offer asymetric bidirectional rate-limiting, per port or traffic class, to preserve network bandwidth and enable maximum control of network resources.

• Ease of Management

  An embedded user-friendly web interface helps users quickly and simply configure the switches. Cable diagnostics identify cable faults, such as short or open, and feed back a distance to the fault, while Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) support enables administrators to monitor devices attached to switch ports. SNMP v1/v2 is supported for management by a network management station.

Pricing and availability

The SMCGS10C-Smart EZ Switch™ is available now at quality SMC Networks’ resellers and integrators everywhere for a suggested retail price of 104.99 EUR, excluding local taxes. The SMCGS10P-Smart is expected to be available at the beginning of March.