R&M: Leading the Way to 10G Ethernet with Category 6 Cabling

Swiss cabling specialist launches information service

Wetzikon, Cologne (pts041/02.11.2004/16:15) R&M delivers high-quality solutions that emphasize compatibility and longevity / Booth at Exponet tradeshow / Launch of new information service

Wetzikon, Switzerland / Cologne, Germany-11/02/2004.
10 Gigabit Ethernet-fear no more! R&M is giving IT decision makers good reason to move on to the next level of network technology. The Swiss market and quality leader in cabling systems will provide technical consultation and help at the Exponet 2004 show in Cologne, Germany and also via a separate information service. "Since 10 Gigabit Ethernet is now entirely feasible with proven category 6 cabling solutions, you can invest with confidence", according to R&M Product Manager Regina Good-Engelhardt. Shielded cables and well designed connector systems are needed for reliable networking. However, 10 Gigabit Ethernet is possible with unshielded cabling too, but some major limitations and uncertainties need to be taken into account.

R&M will be exhibiting its cabling solutions from November 16-18 at the Exponet 2004 show in Cologne, Germany (Hall 3.2, Highway East 18). R&M is also launching an information service on 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) concurrent to the Exponet 2004 show. The new service is located at www.rdm.com/ten_gbit. R&M's 10GE Task Force will review current topics of interest among specialists in this area and the IEEE Standards Committee. The results will be made available online to IT decision makers, network planners and administrators in the form of compact technical articles and white papers.

The main challenge currently facing these target groups is that in the medium- to long-term they need to install networks with 10 Gigabit capacity, but the standards, ranges and shielding are still up in the air. This is a tough situation since category 6 / class E solutions that are universally compatible are already available commercially. On the other hand, category 7 / class F solutions have a certain appeal, but they use different (incompatible) connector systems. It is still uncertain which technology will win out in the long term. When deciding where to invest your money, another big question is whether to use existing unshielded cabling or install entirely new shielded cabling.

R&M supports category 6 solutions with shielded and unshielded cabling and offers connector systems that deliver top-notch performance. These products are standards-compliant and undergo strict quality testing. This includes stringent de-embedded testing with a range that extends up to 600 MHz, well above the critical value of 500 MHz necessary for transporting 10 Gigabit signals.

Please stop by the R&M booth from November 16-18 at Exponet 2004 in Cologne, Germany (Hall 3.2, Highway East 18).

For more information, please visit the R&M web site: http://www.rdm.com See the press category to get a technical article and background story by Regina Good-Engelhardt with facts for IT decision makers.

Forty years of R&M

As an independent Swiss family business, Reichle & De-Massari AG (R&M) has over 40 years of experience in information and communications technology. The company concentrates on the development and manufacture of future-oriented passive cabling solutions for communications networks (layer 1).

With outstanding products in the copper and fiber-optic areas, R&M has won a reputation as a leader in quality. R&M implements solutions for customers in the carrier, enterprise, industrial and residential cabling business segments.

R&M's head office is located in Wetzikon, Switzerland. Subsidiaries have been established in Germany, Dubai, Italy, Austria, Poland, Singapore, Ukraine and Hungary. Qualified marketing partners provide customer care in many other countries around the globe.

Some 70% of turnover (2003: 129 million Swiss Francs) is earned outside of Switzerland. This is 10% more than in the previous year and the percentage is rising. The company is wholly owned by the Reichle family and currently has more than 450 employees.

Aussender:	Reichle & De-Massari AG
Ansprechpartner:	René Eichenberger, Head of Communication
Tel.:	+41 1 933 8285
E-Mail:	rene.eichenberger@rdm.ch