This study discusses the Western European Ethernet switching market and vendor market shares for the first half of 2008 and makes comparisons with 2007. The Ethernet switch market is analyzed by technology for fast Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, and 10GbE, by OSI layer for Layers 2, 3, and 4–7, by form factor for modular, non-modular, and unmanaged Ethernet switch port shipments and revenue.

A geographical split is included for Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

"The Western European Ethernet switch market is strongly influenced by core drivers such as the adoption of IP voice and video, increasing demand for network intelligence, and a growing number of network-based businesses. Although we still believe that these drivers continue to push the demand for Ethernet switches, we also expect a slowdown in demand for the coming year created by the current economic instability," said Sylvia Wünsche, research analyst, European Enterprise Communications Infrastructure, at IDC.