MARCH 13, 2007 -- Vitesse Semiconductor Corp. (search for Vitesse) today announced it will include Fast Fiber (100BASE-FX or 100FX) support in all future multi-port, dual media, Gigabit Ethernet transceivers (PHYs). The native support of both 100FX and 1000BASE-X in future dual media PHYs reduces the implementation and management costs of networking installations, say company representatives.
The availability of 100FX support begins with Vitesse's new Octal PHY, the VSC8658, which is now in production and offers a highly integrated and cost-effective option for 10/100/1000BASE-T, 100BASE-FX and 1000BASE-X applications, says Vitesse.
Allowing the flexible selection of a media interface in Ethernet applications enables customers to deploy switching in various environments. While copper Gigabit Ethernet transceivers provide cost-effective high-speed uplink and cascading capabilities up to 100 m, Ethernet ports supporting pluggable optical Gigabit Ethernet interfaces allow network extensions over large distances that can exceed 80 km on a singlemode fiber-optic link.
The SerDes interface resources on every port of Vitesse's new dual media PHYs will enable 802.3u-compliant 100FX communications on ordinary multimode fiber-optic (MMF) link spans up to 2 km. Furthermore, the flexible selection of media interfaces enables the connection of existing equipment, such as 100FX print servers, and eliminates the need for intern media converters, such as 10/100TX to 100FX converters, says the company.
"Vitesse is focused on providing IC solutions that accelerate the transition from 10/100 to Gigabit Ethernet and, at the same time, reduce the implementation and management costs of networking installations by supporting backwards compatibility," reports Sean Michaud, director of marketing at Vitesse. "With the introduction of the VSC8658, we take total savings a step further by reducing the costs of ownership through our technology expertise in cable diagnostics, integration and low power dissipation," he notes.
The VSC8658 leverages the feature set of the VSC8558 device, which eliminated 500 components and saved 12 square inches of board space in 48-port systems by integrating MAC and media-side terminations. Other distinguishing features include:
Visit Vitesse