[News] Google Goes DIY With 10 GigE

Google has built and deployed its own 10-Gbit/s Ethernet switches -- a move that could have implications for the systems, chip, and optical transceiver markets.

"This decision by Google, while small in terms of units purchased, is enormous in terms of the disruptive impact it should have on 10-GigE switching equipment providers and their component supply chains," he writes. Google took the same DIY approach with servers a few years ago. In this case, its work has implications for switch vendors like Force10 Networks Inc. and Woven Systems Inc. , since Google not only couldn't find what it needed, but also built its boxes from off-the-shelf chips.

Through conversations with multiple carrier, equipment, and component industry sources, we have confirmed that Google has designed, built, and deployed homebrewed 10-Gbit/s Ethernet switches for providing server interconnect within their data centers. This is very similar to Google's efforts to build its own server computers. Google realized that, because its computing needs were very specific, it could design and build computers that were cheaper and lower power than off-the-shelf alternatives.

It now appears that the process Google trailblazed in the server computing market will repeat itself in the enterprise switching market. Given the relative dearth of low-cost 10-GigE switching solutions, it isn't surprising to see Google revisit this approach.