PacStar, a Curtiss Wright business, has introduced a new 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) switch module that delivers a 10x increase in networking speed to the PacStar Modular Data Center (MDC) 2.0.
The new PacStar 448 module, based on Cisco® ESS 9300 technology, supports high-speed switching for the MDC’s servers and storage devices. It enables PacStar MDC to perform intensive compute and network tasks in tactical and expeditionary settings.
The module features ten 10 GigE SFP+ enhanced small form-factor pluggable transceiver ports that deliver an unmatched combination of speed and density. The enhanced network interconnect performance provided by PacStar 448 significantly enhances PacStar MDC’s support for a diverse array of demanding DoD use cases including C5ISR, IoT, cloud and storage replication, and AI/ML applications. Additionally, PacStar 448 is a drop-in replacement for previous Ethernet switch modules enabling rapid technology insertion delivering dramatic bandwidth improvement to the PacStar MDC.
“Our introduction of PacStar 448, with its ten-fold increase in performance, highlights Curtiss-Wright’s ongoing commitment to supporting and surpassing today’s tactical communications requirements with rapid and continuous innovation,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division. “While illustrating our leadership position in battlefield network technology, this latest enhancement to our popular PacStar MDC also demonstrates the strength of our partnership with Cisco, as we deliver day-zero release availability of their new Cisco ESS 9300 embedded switch in a rugged, deployable form factor.”
“To provide the warfighter with continuous access to enterprise-class networking services, even when access to the network cloud is denied, requires replicating data between servers as rapidly as possible,” said Peggy J. Miller, Senior General Manager, PacStar Business Unit, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division. “The new PacStar 448 delivers the 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance needed to support wire-speed data replication, in a rugged form factor optimized for tactical environments. Now, our popular PacStar MDC can serve more users and handle even more data while using the same widely deployed PacStar 400-Series form factor.”
PacStar MDC is based on the widely deployed PacStar 400-Series commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) small form factor modules. It is a tactical and expeditionary rugged data center capable of hosting mission command, cloud/storage, sensor fusion, AI and analytics applications. PacStar MDC uses proven small form factor modules for compute, storage, and networking functions with industry leading reduction in size, weight and power (SWaP). PacStar MDC can be deployed dismounted, in forward operating bases (FOBs), command posts, ground vehicles and aircraft, as well as in upper echelons – for military, intelligence, law enforcement, and Homeland Security use.
PacStar ensures compatibility with major software infrastructure providers, working with and testing solutions to provide extensive options for our customers. PacStar MDC (2-Node vSAN™ Cluster) is VMware® Ready – Storage certified.
