This IDC study provides distribution information useful for planning and forecasting switch and router market growth by channel. In this increasingly competitive market, vendors need to be proactive and creative in maintaining and growing their market share with all channels. This study identifies the areas of greatest channel growth, informing the readers of areas for increased channel development through IDC's distribution channel forecasts for the worldwide switch and router market from 2006 to 2010.

"The indirect sales channel continues to be the most effective vehicle for the sales of switches, routers, and a host of other networking gear," explained Ken Presti, research director of IDC's Network Channels and Alliances service. "Nonetheless, the effects of commoditization offer compelling opportunities for creative approaches - especially at the edge of the network, where products become increasingly plug-and-play."