Enterasys Networks introduced the Matrix X-Series, a powerful family of core routers that combines high-performance networking with the highest level of core security available today to support the most demanding enterprise applications and business-critical communications. The Matrix X-Series--an integral part of Enterasys' complete edge-to-core Secure Networks product line--delivers unmatched enterprise security, risk mitigation and the next-generation continuity demanded by today's always-on networked enterprises, especially those supporting real-time applications such as voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video to the desktop, high-performance imaging, and Grid computing for massive data-intensive environments.

"Enterasys leads the industry in delivering infrastructure security solutions for the network edge and the data center. Now, once again, we are raising the bar as the first company to deliver Secure Networks solutions for the network core," said Mark Aslett, president and chief operating officer of Enterasys Networks. "The Matrix X-Series of secure core routers completes our Secure Networks product line and provides enterprises with the industry's first and most complete edge-to-core network security solution."

Today, enterprises need to deploy next-generation high-performance business applications quickly, efficiently and--most importantly--securely. Network infrastructure must align with the key business drivers of all types of enterprises. These include responsive customer service, critical partner communications and increased employee productivity. As enterprises increasingly rely on their networks for critical communications, operations and customer-service activities, they become increasingly vulnerable to opportunistic worms, viruses, highly distributed denial-of-service attacks, fragmented attacks and internal threats to the network and to the business itself.

"New technologies, such as VoIP, make enterprises even more dependent on their networks, because an attack not only disrupts data traffic but also can bring down the entire phone system, as well," said Aslett. "We built the Matrix X-Series to protect the core from unique, targeted attacks and ensure business continuity. It delivers all of the advantages of next-generation, high-performance applications and services while decreasing enterprise security vulnerabilities and proactively responding to threats and attacks."

Why Secure the Core?

The core is the focal point of every data packet and user on an enterprise network. It is highly vulnerable to new and emerging threats and is the target for sophisticated distributed denial-of-service attacks that seek to disrupt the engine of the network and compromise critical data. Attacks that can overwhelm the edge of a network will head for the core and cause untold damage. Therefore, the core must be an active participant in enterprise security.

The Matrix X-Series is the latest Secure Networks innovation from Enterasys. At the edge of the network, the challenge is to control the attack. At the data center, enterprises need to protect their business-critical applications servers, data warehouses and information repositories. At the core -- the heart of the infrastructure -- the X-Series router uses the power of Secure Networks to mitigate attacks and ensure business continuity, under the same, single network management application and policy management model.

Enterasys designed the Matrix X-Series to meet the demands of enterprises seeking to bring the full capabilities of Secure Networks technology to their entire network--from the edge to the core. The Matrix X-Series also is powerful enough to meet the unique needs of such demanding next-generation applications as Grid computing. Grid computers that interconnect many high-performance CPUs to form a virtual supercomputer require multiple robust 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit connections. The Matrix X-Series provides the non-blocking performance and high-availability architecture needed to implement this model. Due to the scale and sensitivity of Grid computing environments, it is critical that the solution provides the highest levels of information security. Enterasys Matrix X-Series delivers the performance throughput, traffic classification and core security features to implement this infrastructure. The Matrix X-Series has been beta tested at one of the world's largest Grid computing projects by CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. CERN is the world's largest particle physics center and the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

"CERN received the first two Matrix X-Series core routers in August and we immediately began testing the products within our CERN Openlab for DataGrid applications," said Wolfgang von Rueden, head of CERN's IT department. "I am pleased to report that the routers were just what we expected: a clean design with powerful performance perfectly suited for core networks and massive Grid projects such as Openlab. We are now working with Enterasys to deploy the full Secure Networks capabilities of the X-Series in our Grid environments to enable us to significantly improve the security of our network without compromising our high-performance needs."

Matrix X-Series Capabilities

The Matrix X-Series delivers industry-leading performance and port density:

"Over the past year, Enterasys has grown its portfolio of edge and distribution switches under the Secure Networks initiative," said Max Flisi, research analyst at IDC. "With the launch of the Matrix X-Series, the company is extending its security capabilities to the core of the network while addressing enterprise requirements for business continuity and performance."