LanOptics Ltd has added what it calls its Scaleable Migration Path to its LANmaker product line as well as extending the line to include two low-end models for the LANmaker 1000 line of unmanaged switches for the LANmaker VLAN Ethernet Switch. LANmaker’s Scaleable Migration Path (SMP) is a software upgrade that enables management to be added to the companies unmanaged switches and to enhance a managed switch with Advanced Features, including Layer 3 switching, Layer 2 and 3 VLANs and Automatic Load Balancing. The software can be added to any LANmaker unit and the managed switching modules are interchangeable among all LANmaker enclosures. The two new low-end, unmanaged LANmaker 1000 switches are the VWE-1201 and the LSE-1302. The VWE-1201 has 32 shared 10Base-T ports, four switched 10Base-T ports and one option slot for the insertion of a two-port Fast Ethernet uplink plug-in. The LSE-1302 includes 32 switched 10Base-T ports and one option slot. LanOptics has also added two new switching modules to its quad-slot LANmaker 5000 enclosure, which supports up to 64 switched 10Base-T ports. The LANswitch 32 is a 32-port 10BaseT desktop switch that includes an option slot for a two-port Fast Ethernet uplink plug-in and the LANswitch 16, is a single-slot version including 16 RJ-45 ports. Also a Fast Ethernet uplink plug-in with two copper ports and a plug-in with two Fast Ethernet fiber ports. The plug-ins complement the copper/fiber plug-in introduced in March along with the VWswitch and FASTswitch modules. The plug-ins can be used in option slots on all switches. LANmaker is an all-in-one Ethernet switch that supports shared and switched 10, 100 and Gigabit Ethernet users in desktop, workgroup and backbone configurations with Layer 1, 2, and 3 Virtual LANs. LANmaker lets Network Managers mover users without moving from their desks, thanks to its unique integration of an Electronic Patch Panel, VIEWmaker drag-and-drop software and Automatic Load Balancing. During the remainder of the year, LanOptics says it plans interchangeable 10, 100, and 10/100 Mbps switching modules for desktop, workgroup and backbone applications and that it is also developing it own ASIC design to enable Gigabit Ethernet switching. It says the ASIC will be ready in the first quarter of next year with products available in the following quarter.
