Dell Introduces Switches With Advanced Security, Power

Two of the models, the PowerConnect 3424P and the 3448P, include industry-standard Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology and are available at up to half the price of competing products. Pricing starts at $999 for the PowerConnect 3424P and $1,299 for the 3448P. Switches with PoE technology support advanced technology such as wireless local area networks (LANs) or voice over IP (VoIP) without the need for an AC power cord. The PowerConnect 3424 is priced at $449 and $749 for the 3448.

"The PowerConnect 3400 series is a highly versatile family of switches that can deliver Fast Ethernet with security, flexibility and value," said Larry Hart, senior PowerConnect manager, Dell Product Group. "Dell is driving standards deeper into the enterprise allowing customers to reap the benefits of advanced technology such as Power-over-Ethernet at an affordable price."

Advanced Security

The PowerConnect 3400 series is ideal for building a cost-effective wiring closet, enabling small-office desktop connectivity, or connecting to a Gigabit Ethernet backbone. Customers can easily optimize and secure their network traffic with the PowerConnect 3400 series by taking advantage of industry-standard protocols.

The PowerConnect 3400 provides advanced security through IEEE 802.1x-based edge authentication. Unauthorized access can be prevented by requiring all users to identify themselves to the network with a login/password or other authentication device. The new switches also support SNMPv3, which increases security by encrypting network management traffic as it flows between the switch and the host.

Flexible Network Management

Dell has designed the PowerConnect 3400 series to be easy to manage and support high-performance workgroups. Customers can connect multiple switches and manage them as if they were a single device. In addition, the switches include a variety of industry-standard management protocols that provide advanced functionality while a common line interface reduces the need for network administrators to learn new commands.

Features of the PowerConnect 3400 series include:

-- 2 built-in copper Gigabit Ethernet ports for resilient stacking or copper GbE connectivity;
-- Support for up to 256 industry-standard VLANs;
-- Remote configuration, monitoring, and management;
-- Optional redundant power supply.

The PowerConnect 3424 and 3448 are available today, and the PowerConnect 3424P and 3448P will be available later this summer. More information on the PowerConnect 3400 series can be found at: http://www.dell.co … powerconnect