New 10 GbE Switch Module Delivers 10x Performance Increase for Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar Modular Data Center

New 10 GbE Switch Module Delivers 10x Performance Increase for Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar Modular Data Center
New 10 GbE Switch Module Delivers 10x Performance Increase for Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar Modular Data Center
Press release
February 24, 2021

New 10 GbE Switch Module Delivers 10x Performance Increase for Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar Modular Data Center

New PacStar 448 10 GigE switch delivers 10x transmission speed boost to support hyper-converged infrastructure, cloud replication, and high-speed network-based tactical communications at the edge of the battlefield

 

ASHBURN, Va. – February 24, 2021 -- Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced that its recently acquired business, PacStar®, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), has introduced a new 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) switch module that delivers a 10x increase in networking speed to its industry-leading PacStar Modular Data Center (MDC) 2.0. The new PacStar 448 module, based on Cisco® ESS 9300 technology, supports high-speed switching for the MDC’s servers and storage devices. It enables PacStar MDC to perform intensive compute and network tasks in tactical and expeditionary settings. The module features ten 10 GigE SFP+ enhanced small form-factor pluggable transceiver ports that deliver an unmatched combination of speed and density. The enhanced network interconnects performance provided by PacStar 448 significantly enhances PacStar MDC’s support for a diverse array of demanding DoD use cases including C5ISR, IoT, cloud and storage replication, and AI/ML applications. Additionally, PacStar 448 is a drop-in replacement for previous Ethernet switch modules enabling rapid technology insertion delivering dramatic bandwidth improvement to the PacStar MDC.

“Our introduction of PacStar 448, with its ten-fold increase in performance, highlights Curtiss-Wright’s ongoing commitment to supporting and surpassing today’s tactical communications requirements with rapid and continuous innovation,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President, and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division. “While illustrating our leadership position in battlefield network technology, this latest enhancement to our popular PacStar MDC also demonstrates the strength of our partnership with Cisco, as we deliver day-zero release availability of their new Cisco ESS 9300 embedded switch in a rugged, deployable form factor.”

“To provide the warfighter with continuous access to enterprise-class networking services, even when access to the network cloud is denied, requires replicating data between servers as rapidly as possible,” said Peggy J. Miller, Senior General Manager, PacStar Business Unit, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division. “The new PacStar 448 delivers the 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance needed to support wire-speed data replication, in a rugged form factor optimized for tactical environments. Now, our popular PacStar MDC can serve more users and handle even more data while using the same widely deployed PacStar 400-Series form factor.”

About the PacStar Modular Data Center

PacStar MDC is based on the widely deployed PacStar 400-Series commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) small form factor modules. It is a tactical and expeditionary rugged data center capable of hosting mission command, cloud/storage, sensor fusion, AI, and analytics applications. PacStar MDC uses proven small form factor modules for computing, storage, and networking functions with an industry-leading reduction in size, weight, and power (SWaP). PacStar MDC can be deployed dismounted, in forwarding operating bases (FOBs), command posts, ground vehicles, and aircraft, as well as in upper echelons – for military, intelligence, law enforcement, and Homeland Security use.

PacStar ensures compatibility with major software infrastructure providers, working with and testing solutions to provide extensive options for our customers. PacStar MDC (2-Node vSAN™ Cluster) is VMware® Ready – Storage certified.

PacStar, a Cisco STI Partner, was named Cisco IOT Partner of the Year in 2018.

About PacStar’s Family of Leading Battlefield Solutions

PacStar’s industry-leading family of advanced communications solutions addresses a wide range of military, intelligence, and commercial applications. PacStar created and manufactures COTS-based rugged, small form factor expeditionary and mobile communications systems. Separately, it developed integrated, network communications management software, IQ-Core Software, for the military, federal, state/local government, and emergency responder markets. The company’s patented IQ-Core software, hardware technology, and integrated solutions provide secure, command, control, and communications systems, particularly in remote or infrastructure starved areas. In addition, PacStar’s communications systems are ideally suited for commercial/industrial organizations with mission-critical field communications requirements.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company is headquartered in Davidson, N.C., and employs approximately 8,200 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

Note: Trademarks are property of their respective owners.

John Wranovics

John Wranovics

Director of Public Relations

John Wranovics has over thirty years of experience in managing media relations and the promotion of high technology products. He has been with Curtiss-Wright since 2003. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.