Foundry Networks this week extended its switch line to boost support for network growth, video and other high-power devices, as well as migration to IPv6.

Foundry rolled out new stackable models of its FastIron GS and LS lines of 10 Gigabit Ethernet-ready access switches. The FastIron GS-STK and FastIron LS-STK are intended to address the needs of network operators looking for a scalable edge architecture at low cost and compact size.

The FastIron LS-STK line includes two models. The 624-STK is a 24-port 10/100/1000Mbps RJ-45 switch with four 100/1000Mbps SFP ports. It's configured with two 10Gbps CX4 stacking ports, and one slot is available for one-port 10GbE upgrade.

The FastIron LS 648-STK is a 48-port 10/100/1000Mbps switch with four 100/1000Mbps SFP ports. It's also configured with two 10-Gbps CX4 stacking ports.

The FastIron GS line includes three models. The 624P-STK is a 24-port 10/100/1000Mbps RJ-45 switch with four 100/1000Mbps SFP ports. It comes configured with two 10Gbps CX4 stacking ports and one AC power supply.

The FastIron GS 624XGP-STK is a 24-port 10/100/1000Mbps RJ-45 switch with four 100/1000Mbps SFP ports. It includes one integral 10-GE XFP port, two 10Gbps CX4 stacking ports and one AC power supply.

The FastIron GS 648P-STK is a 48-port 10/100/1000Mbps RJ-45 switch with four 100/1000Mbps SFP ports. It comes configured with two 10Gbps CX4 stacking ports and one AC power supply.

The FastIron GS-STK and FastIron LS-STK switches will be available in the summer. Prices for the FastIron LS-STK models start at US$4,495 and the FastIron GS-STK models start at US$5,495.

Foundry also rolled out modules for its FastIron SuperX/SX switch line that support the emerging "PoE Plus" standard for power delivery over Ethernet cable. The modules provide approximately 25 watts of power to Ethernet-attached devices, nearly twice the power of the current IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard, for IP devices requiring higher power such as pan-tilt-zoom surveillance cameras, point of sale terminals, video phones and 802.11n access points.

The first of these modules will be available in the summer and will support 48 10/100/1000Mbps PoE Plus ports. It will cost US$7,995 and comply with IEEE 802.3at draft 3.0 specifications, Foundry says.

Foundry also unveiled a new release of its IronWare software that lets companies begin migrating to IPv6. IronWare

Release 4.1.00 allows the FastIron SuperX/SX and FastIron Edge X series switches to support IPv6 routing and IPv6-to-IPv4 tunneling.

The IPv6 routing upgrade delivers dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 routing services, allowing network operators to implement and transition to IPv6 as required, Foundry says. The software complements a line of hardware-based IPv6 routing switches also unveiled this week.

IronWare Release 4.1.00 software and the IPv6 upgrade for the FastIron X Series switches will be available in May. Upgrade prices range from US$4,995 to $12,095.