Report: 10-Gigabit Ethernet Is Breaking Out

In its "10-Gigabit Networking" study released Wednesday, CIR cited the efforts to promote the market by Cisco Systems, Extreme, Foundry, Force10, InfiniCon, Voltaire, and Topspin. In particular, 10-Gigabit Ethernet is taking off, predicted to account for two-thirds of deliveries next year and almost 80 percent in 2009.

"Of particular interest is the rise of short-reach 10G interfaces based on copper," the Virginia-based market research firm stated. "These represent less than 1 percent of the 10-Gigabit Ethernet market at present, but are expected to account for almost one fourth of the market by 2009."

CIR noted that OC-192 router ports are 50 times more expensive than the average 10-Gigabit Ethernet port, causing a drop of interest in SONET/SDH transmission technology. "No one is going to choose SONET/SDH over 10-Gigabit Ethernet," CIR observed.

The report stated that the continued growth of 10-Gigabit Infiniband interfaces and the impending arrival of 10G Fibre Channel technology will also spur the growth of 10-Gigabit networking.