This IDC study analyzes the key trends shaping the Layer 4?7 switch market. This document also provides the worldwide market forecast for the Layer 4?7 switch market in terms of revenue. It segments the forecast into the following geographic segments: North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the rest of the world (ROW). It also provides vendor market share for 2004. In addition, this study presents the key underlying trend assumptions used in the market forecast.

"The Layer 4?7 switch market is ripe with opportunity as suppliers seek to build application aware networks. The migration to VoIP, storage networking, and mobility point to strong future revenue growth for the market. As a result, IDC anticipates the Layer 4?7 switch market will grow to reach $1 billion by 2009." ? Lucinda Borovick, IDC program director, Datacenter Networks