Vitesse Advances Energy Efficiency Solutions for Ethernet Networking

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (Pink Sheets:VTSS), a leading provider of advanced IC solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks, today announced the second generation of its award-winning EcoEthernet™ technology, with power-saving features exceeding the IEEE’s 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet standards. EcoEthernet 2.0 delivers the industry’s richest energy efficient feature set and minimizes power in the network by optimizing performance for all link speeds. For the first time, Vitesse’s solution offers industry OEMs unique energy-saving flexibility in temperature monitoring, smart fan control, and adjustable LED brightness for green network appliances.

Regardless of the network speed, EcoEthernet 2.0 optimizes performance for the greenest Enterprise LANs, data centers, and Carrier networks possible. Gigabit Ethernet ports dissipate well below 400 mW, while drawing less than 200 mW when operating in Fast Ethernet speeds. Features intended to reduce fan and front-panel display power ensure that switches and Carrier access systems based on EcoEthernet 2.0 will offer the lowest possible energy use for the next- generation of green network appliances.

The recent work of the IEEE’s 802.3az EEE Task Force to establish further green opportunities for Ethernet are aligned with coalition efforts such as The Green Grid and GreenTouch™ for making Enterprise, data center, and telecom networks more energy efficient. Vitesse’s EcoEthernet technology allows manufacturers to design products for these emerging standards.

"Until now, most Ethernet IC development has focused solely on the cost and performance gains achieved by using 65-nm technology. However, relying on this process alone is not a comprehensive green strategy,” said Jason Rock, product marketing manager at Vitesse. "Vitesse’s EcoEthernet 2.0 is essential to fully optimize energy-efficiency, by accounting for system factors such as fan power, display power, and other aspects of a networking or IT system that can affect power load. EcoEthernet 2.0 not only gives our customers a differentiator for their products, but helps them maximize resources and gain a competitive edge.”

Vitesse’s first generation of EcoEthernet won Frost & Sullivan’s Green Excellence awards in 2008, due to such unique Vitesse features as ActiPHY™ and PerfectReach™. ActiPHY automatically powers down any port not used in an Ethernet network topology, while PerfectReach adjusts optimal power use based on specific cable length. Starting this quarter, Vitesse will introduce new SparX™ Ethernet switch and SimpliPHY™ transceiver products with integrated EcoEthernet 2.0 features. Learn more about Vitesse’s EcoEthernet IC solutions at www.vitesse.com/green.

About Vitesse’s Ethernet IC Solutions

SparX: Based on an innovative architecture and high levels of integration, Vitesse’s SparX devices provide the most advanced Layer 2 Gigabit Ethernet switch solution with advanced quality of service (QoS). Vitesse has eliminated the need for external processing and memory resources, allowing developers to deliver a smart switch with advanced Layer 2 capabilities at a fraction of the cost for a fully managed switch.

SimpliPHY: Boasting energy efficiency features, SimpliPHY devices contain field-proven, fully adaptive equalization and innovative timing recovery algorithms that provide greater noise tolerance performance than the competition. SimpliPHY devices are also based on a patented, fully balanced, voltage-mode line driver technology, allowing the use of lower cost magnetics.

About Vitesse

Vitesse designs, develops and markets a diverse portfolio of high-performance, cost-competitive semiconductor solutions for Carrier and Enterprise networks worldwide. Engineering excellence and dedicated customer service distinguish Vitesse as an industry leader in high-performance Ethernet LAN, WAN, and RAN, Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH, Optical Transport (OTN), and best-in-class Signal Integrity and Physical Layer products for Ethernet, Fibre Channel, Serial Attached SCSI, InfiniBand®, Video, and PCI Express applications. Additional company and product information is available at www.vitesse.com.

Vitesse is a registered trademark and EcoEthernet, ActiPHY, PerfectReach, SimpliPHY, and SparX are trademarks in the United States and/or other jurisdictions of Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holders.