Force10 hunts HP VARs after Cisco rift

Networking vendor aims to tempt HP partners with claims its technology can beat Cisco on performance and price

Force10 claims it can offer VARs a cheaper alternative to Cisco

Vendor Force10 Networks is aiming to make hay with Cisco and HP's rift by offering the hardware titan's VARs a margin-rich alternative to Cisco technology.

The bullish vendor claims it can offer a cheaper equivalent to a fully configured Cisco 6500 chassis switch. Force10 wants to curry favour with the installed base of Cisco's Catalyst 6509 range.

The Play-To-Win initiative is based on Force10's C300 chassis, which the vendor claims 'surpasses the density and switching performance' of the Cisco kit. Force10 also indicated its technology takes up less space and can reduce power costs. Resellers that generate more than $1m (£650,000) in C300 sales can obtain an extra cash rebate of 10 per cent.

Force10's vice president of worldwide channels and sales operations Andrew Stewart said: “We have seen ongoing channel disruption since Cisco introduced its Unified Computing System blade server technology in 2009. It intensified this week with the announcement that Cisco will terminate its channel alliance with HP. We see a fast-emerging opportunity to build relationships with partners that now need an alternative to Cisco.”