RHK Tallies Core Router Market Share: Cisco 48%, Lucent 27%, Juniper 9%

Cisco Systems, Inc.t by telecom market research firm RHK Inc. (San Francisco) shows <%=company%> (San Jose, CA)continues to lead the North American core switch and router device market in the second half of 1999 with a 48% share. Lucent Technologies (Murray Hill, NJ) grabs 27%, followed by newcomer Juniper Networks at 9%. Findings show the core infrastructure market, although primarily led by the established vendors will soon face pressures from new entrants vying for market share. RHK predicts the combined market for core IP routers, ATM switches, and IP/ATM (MPLS) hybrids to reach $15.8 billion by 2003.

The new report, "Core Switch and Router Market Share - 1999," shows Cisco maintained its lead by increased shipments and sales of its GSR 120xx product line. RHK expects Cisco's sales to remain strong through 2000, but anticipates that the company's market position will experience new pressures from newcomers entering the market. Lucent finished second overall in the core device category, with continuing demands for its GX 550 core ATM switch (formerly of Ascend). Juniper, in its first year of product shipments, was able to capture significant market share from Cisco with shipments of its M40 router. RHK expects to see Juniper capture additional market share as its M160 product is deployed.

RHK's study defines a core device as a product that functions at the center of the network and performs high-speed forwarding. RHK includes those core network elements (IP or ATM) that have at least 20 Gbps in full duplex port capacity, are non blocking at this capacity, and support multiple OC-48 interfaces.

Edited by Kristin Keiser