In October 2012, Cyan announced a packet-optical platform upgrade, Brocade networking products became part of validated Hitachi Unified Compute Platform solutions, and XO Communications launched Toronto services from Cologix’s 151 Front Street West data center. The three announcements addressed different parts of network infrastructure: transport capacity, data-center switching, and carrier connectivity.
How the three announcements differed
| Company and development | Network role | Scale or footprint reported | Deployment context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyan XC-2800 upgrade | Packet-optical transport and switching | Up to 2.8 Tbps of packet-switching and cross-connect capacity per shelf, as reported by Data Center Knowledge on October 11, 2012 | Wireless backhaul, business Ethernet, data-center interconnect, and wholesale transport |
| Brocade integration with Hitachi UCP | Ethernet and SAN fabric switching | Not stated in the October 11, 2012 roundup | Pre-validated and turnkey Hitachi Unified Compute Platform solutions |
| XO Toronto service launch at Cologix | Carrier network services and connectivity | XO described a fully diverse 550-mile Toronto metro and Canadian long-haul fiber network connecting to multiple U.S. locations | Enterprise and wholesale customers using Cologix’s 151 Front Street West facility |
What Cyan announced in 2012
XC-2800 capacity and intended uses
Cyan’s Z-Series upgrade introduced the XC-2800, which the October 11, 2012 Data Center Knowledge roundup reported could deliver up to 2.8 terabits per second of packet-switching and cross-connect capacity per shelf. The platform combined packet networking with G.709 optical transport networking. Cyan targeted operators and businesses needing to carry traffic for wireless backhaul, business Ethernet, data-center interconnect, or wholesale transport.
Why the router-bypass claim mattered
The announcement was also about how networks might scale, not just how much traffic a shelf could handle. TDS Telecommunications had used Cyan equipment for more than two years by the time of the roundup. TDS vice president of engineering and architecture Ken Paker said the functionality would help the company scale its networks and operations more efficiently. He also described avoiding the addition of routers in locations where they otherwise might have been deployed. That is a customer’s account of the intended operational benefit, not an independently reported performance test.
Which Brocade switches were integrated with Hitachi UCP?
Hitachi Data Systems incorporated four named Brocade models into pre-validated and turnkey Hitachi Unified Compute Platform solutions:
#1 Best Overall
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
- Brocade VDX 6720
- Brocade VDX 6746
- Brocade 6510
- Brocade 5460
The integration paired Ethernet and SAN fabric products with Hitachi’s converged infrastructure offerings. Brocade presented the selection as a way to provide simplicity, automation, scalability, reliability, and interoperability for enterprise workloads. The roundup does not give comparative benchmark results, deployment counts, or detailed compatibility matrices, so it establishes the named product integration rather than quantifying those benefits.
Where XO launched Toronto services
Cologix’s 151 Front Street West facility
XO Communications launched Toronto services from Cologix’s data center at 151 Front Street West. XO said its high-speed services would serve enterprise and wholesale customers. The relationship described in the announcement is that XO used the Cologix facility as a Toronto location from which to offer network services; the roundup does not describe a merger or ownership relationship between the companies.
Rank #2
- 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX.
- 𝗚𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆: Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁: IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation.
- 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆: Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed.
- 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping.
The network behind the launch
XO described its Canadian footprint as a fully diverse 550-mile Toronto metro and Canadian long-haul fiber network, connecting to multiple U.S. locations. The announcement framed that reach as supporting customers who needed connectivity in Toronto or high-speed access to U.S. markets. The 550-mile figure is XO’s description in the 2012 announcement, not a current service-map measurement.
What happened to Cyan and Brocade later?
Cyan became part of Ciena
On May 4, 2015, Ciena announced a definitive agreement to acquire Cyan for approximately $400 million, or about $335 million net of estimated cash acquired. Ciena cited Cyan’s software-defined networking (SDN), network functions virtualization (NFV), metro packet-optical, and orchestration portfolio. This transaction provides later corporate context for the 2012 Cyan announcement; it does not change what the XC-2800 was reported to offer at the time.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 8 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
Broadcom acquired Brocade
On November 2, 2016, Broadcom announced it would acquire Brocade for approximately $5.5 billion plus $0.4 billion of net debt. Broadcom said it planned to divest Brocade’s IP networking business while retaining its Fibre Channel SAN switching business. That distinction matters when reading the 2012 Hitachi integration: Brocade’s portfolio later sat within a company that identified its SAN switching business for retention and its IP networking business for divestiture.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the roundup shows
These were complementary but separate infrastructure developments. Cyan focused on packet-optical transport capacity and avoiding additional router deployments, Brocade’s role was validated Ethernet and SAN switching inside Hitachi’s UCP solutions, and XO’s expansion was a carrier-service launch using a Toronto data-center location and a described Canadian fiber footprint. They should not be read as one joint product or partnership.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝟮.𝟱 𝗚𝗯𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 8× 2.5-Gigabit ports unlock the highest performance of your Multi-Gig bandwidth and devices, and provide up to 40 Gbps of switching capacity.
- 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼-𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Auto-negotiation intelligently senses the link speeds and adjusts between 3-speeds (100Mb/1G/2.5G) for compatibility and optimal performance for all your devices, including 2.5G WiFi 6 AP, 2.5G NAS, 2.5G PCIe Adapter, 2.5G Server, gaming computer, 4K video, and more.
- 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀: Built for LAN parties, home entertainment, small and home offices, and instant transfer for workstations.
- 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Instantly upgrade to 2.5 Gbps without the need to upgrade to Cat6 wiring, reducing wiring costs and hassle. *
- 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Industry-leading fanless design ensures silent operation, ideal for any home or business.
Rank #4
- 【One Switch Made to Expand Network】Features 5 RJ45 ports with 10/100/1000Mbps speeds, supporting Auto-Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX for hassle-free setup. Ideal for expanding your network, with 1 uplink (input) port and 4 output ports to split your Ethernet connection to multiple devices.
- 【Gigabit that Saves Energy】Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
- 【Reliable and Quiet】IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- 【Plug and Play】Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed
- 【Ethernet Splitter】Connect to your router or modem for additional wired connections (laptop, gaming console, printer, etc)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
