Network News: Brocade CEO Klayko to Step Down

Here’s our review of some of today’s noteworthy links for the networking sector of the data center industry:

Brocade CEO to step down.  The Brocade Communications (BRCD) Board of Directors and CEO Michael A. Klayko announced today that Klayko intends to resign from his role as CEO once a successor is identified by the Board and a transition is completed. Klayko will continue to serve as CEO until a replacement is identified. "We want to thank Mike for his more than seven years of service as CEO," said Brocade's Chairman, Dave House. "He has led us through two major acquisitions and has positioned us as a technology leader and world-class provider of networking solutions. We wish him the best and appreciate his continued service to Brocade as the Company works to identify the right leader to assume his role."

Miami Exchange builds platform with Cisco.  Cisco (CSCO) announced that the Miami International Securities Excahnge (MIAX) has selected Cisco's ultra-low latency intelligent network infrastructure for the trading platform of the MIAX Options Exchange, a fully-electronic options exchange planning to commence operations in late September 2012. Built from the ground up, the trading platform will provide extremely high performance, state-of-the-art monitoring, systems security and automated continuous testing to ensure high reliability of network infrastructure.  Cisco Nexus 3000 series switches offer Layer 2/Layer 3 switching at ultra-low latencies to deliver an extremely high performance infrastructure for high speed trading workloads, and in the process consume less power and support multiple connectivity, which will reduce the cost and size of the MIAX's data center footprint. "After a rigorous evaluation of industry-leading vendors and testing in our data center, we found that the technological capabilities and roadmap offered by the Cisco Nexus 3000 ultra-low latency network infrastructure were perfectly aligned to support the high speed trading requirements of the MIAX Options Exchange," said Frank Ziegler, senior vice president of Systems Infrastructure at MIAX. "The Cisco Nexus 3000 and Nexus 5000 based intelligent network infrastructure created a stable, reliable network, which is essential to the value that the MIAX Options trading platform will bring to the traders on our exchange."

Level 3 selected by Rio Networks. Level 3 Communications announced it has signed an agreement with Rio Networks, an Oregon-based business telecommunications company, to provide high-speed Internet protocol (HSIP) and transport services for the company's newly-built data center. Rio Networks will resell Level 3's next-generation IP solutions to fill a growing need in the Southern Oregon market. "By having Level 3 built into our carrier-neutral data center – the first of its kind in Southern Oregon – the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe, Roseburg, and the community are now exceptionally well-postured to do business worldwide," said Mark Bilton-Smith, President of Rio Networks. "This facility is designed to be a true driving force in the business development of our community, and Level 3's participation in this effort allows Douglas County and the Tribe to realize that goal."