Product Overview
The Enterasys Matrix
®
N-Series flow-based switches offer the industry’s most granular visibility
and control of individual users and voice/video/data applications. Capable of being deployed as a
premium edge access device, distribution layer aggregation switch, enterprise-class core router, or
data center server farm solution, the Matrix N-Series is the flagship hardware platform for the policy-
based Secure Networks™ architecture. Policies ensure only the right users have access to the right
information from the right place at the right time — adapting automatically every time there is a
move, add or change.
Matrix N-Series switches are available in the following form factors:
• Standalone for smaller wiring closets
• 1 Slot chassis providing full Distributed Forwarding Engine (DFE) connectivity
• 3 Slot offering over 200 ports of connectivity
• 5 Slot optimized for PoE deployments while offering over 350 ports
• 7 Slot offering over 500 ports of connectivity
All of the Matrix N-Series offerings leverage the Enterasys DFE architecture whereby the
switching, routing and management control functions are embedded in each module, delivering
unsurpassed reliability, scalability and fault tolerance. Customers can quickly and cost-effectively
add connectivity as needed while scaling performance capacity with each new blade. The DFE
high-availability architecture makes forwarding decisions, enforces security policies and classifies/
prioritizes traffic. DFEs ensure the highest Quality of Service for critical applications such as voice
even during periods of over-subscription — while proactively preventing Denial of Service attacks.
Optimized for edge, distribution, core
and data center deployments
Industry-leading technology lifecycle
improves ROI and lowers TCO
Granular visibility and control of users
and voice/video/data applications
Flow based architecture optimized for
iSCSI and Server Virtualization
Unique Distributed Forwarding Engine
architecture assures business continuity
for mission critical applications
Point to point backplane architecture
provides up to 1.68 Terabits of
switching capacity
Enterasys Matrix
®
N-Series
Secure, Highly-Available Policy-based 10GbE Modular L2/L3/L4 Edge to
Core/Data Center Flow Switch
datasheet
there is nothing more important
than our customers.
Benefits
Business alignment
• Standards-based, open architecture
for reliable and secure deployment
of next generation business critical
applications
• Best in class QoS functionality ensures
reliable and predictable performance
for convergence-based applications
plus integrated support for standards-
based Power over Ethernet
• Matrix N-Series flow-based architecture
delivers end-to-end visibility and
control over users, services and
applications ensuring consistent
end-user experience 24x7x 365
Operational efficiency
• Lowest TCO for any product in its class,
featuring a 10 year chassis life with
guaranteed backward compatibility
plus continued performance and
density enhancements to meet future
enterprise networking requirements
• Deployment flexibility significantly
drives down maintenance costs and
simplifies management
• Lowest power consumption and
thermal output BTU/Hour drives down
data center power and cooling costs
security
• Unrivalled capability to protect
business traffic from malicious attacks
and maintain data integrity and
application delivery
• Edge security extended to existing
switches and wireless access points
allows authentication of thousands of
users or devices simultaneously on a
single port
• Integrated network access control
(NAC) and intrusion detection &
prevention (IDS/IPS) via Matrix
Security Modules
support and services
• Industry leading customer satisfaction
and first call resolution rates
• Personalized services
