Netgear opts for LVL7 software

Netgear opts for LVL7 software
WAYNE, N.J. — LVL7 has landed a big win in the enterprise networking market, announcing Tuesday (Aug. 19) that equipment vendor Netgear has implemented its Fastpath software package in the recently released GSM7324 Ethernet switch.

The GSM7324 is a 24-port Ethernet switching device developed around Broadcom's StrataXGS 5690 switching device. Unlike past switching products, the GSM7324 combines Layer 2 switching capabilities with Layer 3 routing and Layer 4 quality-of-service functionality.

"This is Netgear's first entry into the Layer 3 space," said Kishore Jotwani, vice president of marketing at LVL7.

To make the leap, Netgear turned to LVL7's Fastpath 2340 managed Layer 2/3/4 software package. For Layer 2, the software package includes support for virtual LAN tagging, link aggregation, spanning tree, rapid spanning tree and 802.1p priorities. To complement Layer 2 capabilities, the software package delivers support for RIP and OSPF routing for Layer 3 and bandwidth policing, DiffServ, maximum burst rate and committed information rate for Layer 4.

In its base package, the Fastpath 2340 does not support multicast capabilities. However, Jotwani said designers can add this functionality through an optional upgrade.

Netgear has ported LVL7's software package to Wind River's VxWorks 5.5 operating system. The GSM7324 is available now and aimed at small- to medium-sized business applications.