2014 Will be a Major Transition Year for Data Center Switching, According to Crehan Research

Key Ethernet, Fibre Channel and Infiniband Technologies to Surpass Major Milestone

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Jan 27, 2014, 08:45 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 2014 should be a year of major transition for three key data-center switch technologies, according to Crehan Research's most recently published Data Center Switch Long-Range Forecast Report. The firm forecasts that each technology will surpass the incumbent, becoming the majority of its respective segment (see accompanying figure). More specifically, Crehan projects that on an annual basis:

Crehan Research: Data Center Switch Adoption Trends. (PRNewsFoto/Crehan Research Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/CREHAN RESEARCH INC.)

In Infiniband, 56Gbps FDR will overtake 40Gbps QDR to comprise more than 50% of shipments.
In Fibre Channel, 16Gbps will exceed 8Gbps to comprise more than 50% of shipments.
In Ethernet, 10 Gigabit will outstrip 1 Gigabit to comprise more than 50% of shipments.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140127/SF52717-INFO )

"10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) is finally on the verge of becoming the most popular data center switch port connection, after a long and sometimes rocky adoption curve," said Seamus Crehan, president of Crehan Research. "And as 40GbE starts to ramp, we are still forecasting its adoption curve to look much better than that of 10GbE. This is already evidenced by the fact that recent data center switch introductions are really pushing the envelope on 40GbE port densities and economics," he added. In its year-ago Data Center Switch Long-Range Forecast Report (January 2013), Crehan illustrated that 40GbE would comprise close to one-third of all data center switch shipments by 2017, and this latest forecast maintains the same outlook.

In Fibre Channel, the report further shows that despite a more gradual ramp than that seen for 8Gbps, 16Gbps Fibre Channel adoption is picking up steam. Crehan predicts that it will become the majority Fibre Channel switch technology by 2014.

"In the Infiniband switch market, 56Gbps FDR is well on its way to becoming the next de facto high-speed interconnect, setting the foundation for upgrades to the forthcoming 100Gbps EDR products," Crehan said.

About Crehan Research Inc.
Crehan Research Inc. produces reports with very detailed statistics and information on the data center switch and server-class adapter & LOM/controller markets. The company's reports are supported with rich insights and context to deliver increased value. For more information about Crehan Research Inc. email [email protected], phone 650-273-8400, or visit www.CrehanResearch.com.

SOURCE Crehan Research Inc.