The Market Takes Shape After almost a decade of development, the 10-Gbit/s Ethernet (10GE) market is now poised for rapid growth. The main barrier to earlier wide-scale adoption of 10GE – the prohibitive cost of optical modules and switches – has been overcome, with a clear path to 10GE deployment now in sight.

The data center has become the leading application for 10GE, along with increased deployment of carrier Ethernet services. Most high-density GE switches now come with 10GE uplinks; 24- and 48-port 10GE switches are readily available; and the first 10GE network interface cards (NICs) are shipping with twisted-pair interfaces. In the wide-area network, 10GE offers significant cost benefits over alternative technologies such as Sonet/SDH, and several carriers have already committed to 10GE deployments, with more sure to follow.

Equipment manufacturers had identified the high cost and power demands of 10GE optical modules and physical layer (PHY) devices as key barriers to making equipment more affordable for carrier and enterprise customers. Optical module and PHY vendors have responded to this challenge with devices that cost less to manufacture and use less power. As a result of these component advances, 10GE system prices are now tumbling, and port shipments are rising, as the per-user price of 10GE backbone connectivity falls.

10-Gbit/s Ethernet Components: The Market Takes Shape delivers a comprehensive assessment of 10GE optical modules and PHY devices, along with integrated switch devices for the 10GE market. It not only provides detailed information on components and vendors – of interest to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and chip makers – but also offers insights into how the overall market for 10GE systems and components is likely to develop – of interest to a wide audience, including carriers and investors.