Foundry

Foundry Networks: Product Overview

Foundry Networks, now a part of Brocade Communications Systems, was an industry leader in providing high-performance network solutions. Foundry's robust product portfolio included high-end, enterprise-level switches and routers that excelled in terms of reliability, performance, and flexibility.

Foundry Switches

Foundry Networks' line of Ethernet switches was widely recognized for their superior throughput and low latency.

• The BigIron Series of switches was well-regarded in the industry for their top-of-the-line Layer 2/3 Ethernet capabilities. The BigIron RX Series, for example, offered unparalleled 10 Gigabit Ethernet port density, with configurations that scaled up to 112 10GbE ports in a single chassis.

• The FastIron Series was another popular line of switches from Foundry. These switches, such as the FastIron Edge X Series, were geared towards the edge of the network and offered a mix of both 10/100/1000 Ethernet and Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports.

Foundry Routers

Foundry's routers were recognized for their high-performance capabilities and were utilized by many large-scale internet service providers and enterprises.

• The NetIron Series was Foundry's flagship line of routers. The NetIron XMR Series, for instance, offered advanced MPLS, IPv4, IPv6, and Multicast routing capabilities. With a high-density design and top-notch reliability, these routers were an ideal fit for large-scale service provider networks.

• The IronPoint Series offered wireless LAN mobility solutions that complemented Foundry's wired product line. These devices provided enterprise-scale WLAN capabilities, extending the reach and functionality of Foundry's networking solutions.

Despite its eventual acquisition and dissolution, Foundry Networks was a renowned name in the networking hardware industry, offering some of the most sophisticated switches and routers on the market. Its legacy continues to impact the industry through the innovative products of its successor companies.