If you’re looking for a way to connect your workgroup of new Power Mac G4s using some of the fastest networking available, you might be interested in a new product offering from Connectivity hardware maker Asante Technologies. Asante today announced the release of its FriendlyNET GX4-800GBIC Gigabit Ethernet switch. The 8 port Gigabit Ethernet switch is designed to provide high performance networking capabilities with minimum intervention on the part of system managers and network administrators.
The FriendlyNET GX4-800GBIC sports 7 ports with 10/100/1000baseT Ethernet interfaces, with one 1000baseX GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter) modular interface, enabling the switch to hook right into a fiber or copper-based Gigabit backbone.
Priced at around $2,000, the new FriendlyNET switch is targeted at corporate workgroups, universities, and other environments where it’s necessary to transfer large amounts of data between workstations quickly and efficiently. With 1000baseT support on every port, it makes it possible for system configured with Gigabit Ethernet interfaces (like Apple’s newer Power Macs, for example) to communicate with each other at the highest speed possible, rather than relying on slower Fast Ethernet (100baseT).
The FriendlyNET GX4-800GBIC also sports AsantEQ, a special technology that automatically corrects for common wiring errors, such as MDI crossover or pair swaps, skews, and polarity, negotiating the highest data transfer rates possible.
Asante says the new FriendlyNET switch will be available within the next 30 days. Educational buyers are encouraged to call 800.303.9121 for pricing.