This IDC study contains our worldwide Ethernet and LAN switch forecast, excluding the Layer 4?7 segment, for the years 2006 through 2010. Figures for 2006?2010 are forecast, while actual figures from the Worldwide LAN Switch QView for 2004 and 2005 are provided for historical context. This document provides a forecast by revenue and port shipments for the total market and for industry standard segments ? form factor (fixed managed, fixed unmanaged, and modular), speed (100Mb, 1,000Mb, and 10GbE), and layer (Layer 2 and Layer 3).

"The Ethernet switch market is the workhorse of the networking market. This market is increasingly driven not by the desire for straight connectivity, but by the desire for control, capacity, and operational cost reduction. Security, voice, and wireless will drive an increasing portion of the upgrade cycles over the next five years," says Abner Germanow, director, Enterprise Networks, IDC.