The market for 10-Gigabit Ethernet switches is on a strong growth track and should continue in hot demand through 2010, according to analysts at market researcher In-Stat in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The entire Ethernet switch market, meanwhile, will continue to show strong results over the next several years. Total Layer 2/3/4-7 switch manufacturers’ revenue will rise from $14.9 billion in 2005 to $17.7 billion in 2009, analysts say.

Average selling prices of 10-Gigabit Ethernet switches decreased by 19 percent in 2005, which helped keep sales strong.

“With growing demand for streaming video, voice over IP, high-end multimedia, medical imaging, and other bandwidth-intensive applications, Ethernet continues to evolve as the standard networking technology,” says In-Stat analyst Pamela Tufegdzic.

In-Stat analysts also found that Gigabit Ethernet layer 2/3, the middle-of-the-road switch of choice in the market today, experienced solid growth in 2005.

In addition, although fast Ethernet port shipments will continue to grow moderately, revenues for this segment will continue to decline over the forecast period due to falling prices. Also of concern, while Fast Ethernet has become extremely cheap, market trends show that it will not be able to support all the demands of the future.

The In-Stat report entitled Ethernet Switch Market Analysis (IN0602871LN), covers the worldwide Ethernet switch market, with detailed market shares and forecasts through 2009 for major Ethernet switch market segments, including Layer 2, 3, 2/3, 4-7, and 2/3/4-7; Managed; Fixed vs. Modular; Fast Ethernet; GigE; and 10 GigE.

This research is part of In-Stat’s Enterprise Networks Service, which examines the major equipment and applications used in business networks. Major categories include: switching and routing, IP telephony, network security, and wireless LAN (WLAN). Primary research includes end-user surveys of key technology decision-makers across size of business and industries. Research deliverables include annual market shares and five-year forecasts.

For more information contact In-Stat online at www.in-stat.com.