Marvell Introduces Industry's Most Optimized 25GbE End-to-End Data Center Solution

New Ethernet switches and PHYs accelerate data center adoption of 25GbE server access

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Oct 24, 2016, 08:00 ET

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvell (NASDAQ:MRVL), a world leader in storage, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity and multimedia semiconductor solutions, today introduced the industry's most optimized 25 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) end-to-end data center solution, enabling data centers more computing bandwidth and improved efficiency. As data centers increase bandwidth speeds to keep up with the massive flow of data coming through the cloud, they must also balance the capital and operational expenditures associated with moving to next-generation networks. 25GbE offers the benefits of enhanced compute and storage efficiency at a long-term cost structure similar to 10GbE. However, the market has so far lacked solutions designed optimally for the 25GbE data center. Now, with the launch of Marvell's newest Prestera^® switches and Alaska^® Ethernet transceivers, data centers transitioning to 25GbE speeds can utilize an optimized and cost-efficient end-to-end solution.

Marvell introduces the industry's most optimized 25 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) end-to-end data center solution, enabling data centers more computing bandwidth and improved efficiency. Marvell's new solution is comprised of its Prestera(R) 98CX84xx family of 25G Ethernet (GbE) switches and Alaska(R) C 88X5123 and 88X5113 Ethernet transceivers, all fully compliant with the IEEE 25GbE and 100GbE standards.

"I believe Marvell's 25GbE-optimized devices are a significant contribution to the industry, helping drive the adoption of 25GbE server access to meet increasing bandwidth demands in data centers," said Michael Zimmerman, vice president and general manager, Connectivity, Storage and Infrastructure (CSI) Business Unit at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. "Our newest 25G Ethernet switch devices, PHY and Gearbox devices extend Marvell's leadership of providing best-in-class networking solutions optimized for high performance, cost effective, and energy-efficient computing."

"Growing demand for networking bandwidth is one of the most critical pain points for data centers. To keep up with this, data centers are transitioning to 25GbE to take advantage of faster port speeds and leverage the 25GbE cost curves," said Alan Weckel, vice president of Enterprise and Data Center Market Research at Dell'Oro Group. "We expect 25GbE to quickly replace 10GbE."

Marvell's new solution is comprised of its Prestera 98CX84xx family of 25G Ethernet (GbE) switches and Alaska C 88X5123 and 88X5113 Ethernet transceivers, all fully compliant with the IEEE 25GbE and 100GbE standards. With the new Prestera 98CX84xx switch family, Marvell offers the most optimized 25GbE solution for the most common top of rack (ToR) port configurations. The 98CX84xx solutions are designed specifically for mainstream data center high-performance server applications, significantly reducing the overhead costs associated with current 25GbE (ToR) switches built with non-optimal devices. The Prestera devices, with integrated 25GbE PHYs, are enabling data centers to break the 1W per 25G port barrier for 25G ToR applications, allowing more power to be used for compute and storage resources in the data center, and reducing power and cooling costs, the key contributors to operational costs in data centers.

The Alaska C 88X5123 Ethernet transceiver enables customers to support the new IEEE 25GbE specifications on their existing switch ASICs without the expensive investment involved in new silicon development. The Alaska C 88X5113 Ethernet transceiver, a 40G Ethernet to 25G Ethernet Gearbox device, is unique in the industry in that it enables a 40GbE stream to be translated to a 25G Ethernet stream. This device is purpose-built to enable existing 40GbE-capable server NIC controllers to support native 25GbE, hastening the availability of 25GbE-capable NICs.

Offering support for leading-edge software-defined networking (SDN) initiatives, Marvell's Prestera 98CX84xx switches include an abstraction layer which integrates seamlessly with Open Computing Project (OCP) switch abstraction interface (SAI) application program interfaces (APIs). Marvell provides an OpenSwitch driver plug-in that facilitates easy integration with the OpenSwitch application stack. The Prestera 98CX84xx switches are also supported by industry-leading software solutions for the data center, such as IP Infusion.

The new Prestera switch and Alaska Ethernet transceiver devices also support the 25G consortium mode of operation, enabling seamless interoperability with legacy deployments.

Marvell has collaborated with the industry's top original design manufacturers (ODMs) including Delta Networks, Inc., Foxconn, Pegatron Corporation and Wistron NeWeb Corporation (WNC) to provide 98CX84xx-ready platforms for ToR switch applications. Samples and reference designs for Marvell's 98CX84xx, 88X5123 and 88X5113 solutions are available today.

For further information on Marvell's Prestera family of Ethernet switches, please visit: http://www.marvell.com/switching/prestera-cx.

For further information on Marvell's Alaska C PHY family, please visit: http://www.marvell.com/transceivers/alaska-c-gbe/.

About Marvell

Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) is a global leader in providing complete silicon solutions. From storage to cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity and multimedia, Marvell's diverse product portfolio aligns complete platform designs with industry-leading performance, security, reliability and efficiency. At the core of the world's most powerful consumer, network and enterprise systems, Marvell empowers partners and their customers to always stand at the forefront of innovation, performance and mass appeal. By providing people around the world with mobility and ease of access to services, adding value to their social, personal and work lives, Marvell is committed to enhancing the human experience.

For more information, please visit www.Marvell.com.

Marvell, the M logo, Alaska and Prestera are registered trademarks of Marvell and/or its affiliates. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

For Further Information Contact:
Marvell Media Relations

Kristin Hehir	Hanna Kang
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