Hitachi Cable, Ltd. has recently developed and released a new version of its Apresia (*2) Ethernet (*1) Switch. The newly developed 4th-Generation Apresia product, the "Apresia 4348GT-PSR," is a Gigabit Ethernet Layer-2 Switch that supports 10/100/1000 Base-T in all of its 48 downlink ports and offers a highly reliable redundant power supply.

Recent years have seen the spread of applications based on image and voice data, an increase in the number of PCs supporting Gigabit Ethernet, and the emergence of networks that integrate data in a server without storing the data on the user terminal, with due consideration to the protection of personal information. Under these circumstances, demand is increasing for network switches supporting high-capacity data communications. To meet this growing demand, Hitachi Cable developed the Apresia 4348GT, and has been offering the product since February 2006. The Apresia 4348GT has 48 downlink ports supporting 10/100/1000 Base-T installed in a 1-U chassis (4.5-cm high, easily installed in a 19-inch rack), and offers a high-quality voice data network through its QoS functions based on eight-stage priority control of packets and bandwidth control in steps of 64 kbps.

In addition to these features, the switches used in systems that process large amounts of data- for service providers, data centers, and corporate backbone networks, for example- require high reliability for continuous operation. Redundant power supplies are therefore becoming indispensable, allowing systems to operate continuously using a backup power supply unit if the main power supply unit is damaged, as well as enabling maintenance operations on main power units without the need to stop the system.

The newly released Apresia 4348GT-PSR builds upon the features of the Apresia 4348GT and also provides redundant power supply with the two power supply units (*3) installed. Even if a problem occurs in one of these units, users can perform the necessary maintenance operations, such as replacement of the damaged power supply unit while the switch is in operation (hot swap). These functions are tailored to the needs of users demanding high reliability in large-capacity data communications fields: service providers, data centers, and corporate backbone networks, to cite a few.

Hitachi Cable intends to offer the Apresia 4348GT-PSR with "Apresia NA (Network Authentication)," Hitachi Cable's unique authentication function featuring established recognition (*4); thus the Apresia 4348GT-PSR combined with a RADIUS server will offer exceptionally high network security. We also intend to extend the authentication function and functions to protect against malicious attacks on the network, taking advantage of the capabilities of the latest hardware in the 4th Generation series.

We will further promote efforts to increase our share in the Ethernet switch market for communications carriers and enterprises through our sales partners.

Classification of Apresia switches by generation

Generation OS Switch LSI Main features 1st Model-specific Existing Apresia NA, MMRP *5 2nd AEOS*6 Existing Apresia NA, MMRP, RSTP *7 , MSTP *8 ), PIM-SM *9 3rd AEOS New LSI for 3rd-generation Apresia Apresia NA, MMRP, RSTP, MSTP, PIM-SM, Stacked VLAN*10 , bandwidth control and guarantee in steps of 64 kbps, high speed, stable hardware routing, various packet filter settings 4th AEOS New LSI for 4th-generation Apresia Apresia NA (*4), MMRP, RSTP, MSTP, PIM-SM, stacked VLAN, bandwidth control and guarantee in steps of 64 kbps, high speed, stable hardware routing in compliance with IPv6, various packet filter settings based on Advanced Access-List*11 in compliance with IPv6

Major Specifications of Apresia 4348GT-PSR

(Specifications are subject to change without notice.)

Item Specifications Basic configuration Main body Interfaces* SFP(SW) x 4 10-T/100-TX/1000-T(SW) x 48 Power supply Redundant power supply structure (The power supply unit is an option at additional cost.) 100-120 VAC 50-60 Hz, - 48 VDC Power consumption 150 W or less Approximate mass 8 kg or less (Not including power supply unit) External dimensions 436 mm (W) x 449.7 mm (D) x 43.8 mm (H) Operating temperature 0 degree to +40 degrees Bandwidth control Maximum bandwidth control in steps of 64 kbps Flow control IEEE 802.3x Flow control VLAN 802.1Q VLAN (4094 Group)

*	The number of switch ports simultaneously available is 48. The SFP module is available as an option at additional cost.

External view of Apresia 4348GT-PSR

*1	Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.
*2	Apresia is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*3	The power supply unit is an option at additional cost.
*4	The Apresia 4348GT-PSR will be offered with the Apresia NA function at the end of June 2006.
*5	MMRP stands for Multi Master Ring Protocol, a fast switching function for the Ethernet ring. MMRP is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*6	AEOS is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*7	RSTP stands for Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol, which is standardized in IEEE 802.1w. This protocol offers faster switching than conventional switching protocols.
*8	MSTP stands for Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol, which is standardized in IEEE 802.1s. This protocol can provide STP in each individual domain and supports load-distribution redundancy in each independent VLAN Group.
*9	PIM-SM is a Multicast Routing Protocol that exchanges the Multicast Group information among Layer-3 switches.
*10	Stacked VLAN is an extended VLAN that supports further encapsulation of IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tags and enables switching with double-tagged VLAN frames.
*11	Advanced-Access-List is an advanced, augmented filtering function that supports detailed frame identification from Layers 1 through to 4, including IPv6 header information. This function can flexibly specify various actions on the target frame including permission, destruction, mirror, QoS, remarking, and policing (in steps of 64 kbps). This filtering function is also able to check flow as required, using a counter and applying high-speed hardware processing.