Networking giant Cisco Systems is facing increased competition, with products designed for edge routers launched in the market.
Optical equipment maker Redback Networks launched its long-awaited Internet router, the SmartEdge 800 (SE800), this week, saying it could optimise 'users to network' connectivity.
An edge router sits on the outside of a corporate network and directs data packets between the network's core router and external networks and services.
Simon Williams, vice-president of product management at Redback, said the product was the fastest and most reliable in its class.
'It is truly a revolution in IP [Internet protocol] networking. It allows our customers to aggregate the IP services with much higher availability,' said Mr Williams.
'It provides high-density access termination to maximise revenue per rack and dense high-speed interfaces for trunking, wholesale and backbone applications.'
Mr Williams believes the five-year-old company is more competitive than rivals Cisco and Juniper with its new level of IP routing.