The latest Ethernet switches have 10-gigabit capacity ideal for high-end applications. Ethernet has become the world standard for networking technology in scalability, speed, and easy implementation. It brings traffic from LANs, MANs, and WANs to user desktops with equal efficiency, and the current 10-gigabit switch routers represent third-generation devices called Layer 3 switches, routing switches, switching routers, gigabit routers, or multilayer switches. Layer 2 switches only connect devices; Layer 3 connects networks. The newest switch-routers can handle up to Layer 7 switching, providing application-level information for users. The Matrix-N series from Enterasys, the Catalyst 6500 series from Cisco Systems Inc., and Broadcom Corp.'s Strata X65 600 are among the dozen or so products designed for large enterprises. Chassis designs permit large port configurations and sophisticated management and switching capabilities, since blades can be changed to change functions. Most gigabit switches come with up to 48 combination ports, are stackable, and can have up to eight units per rack. Many industry observers feel the enterprise networking environment will soon provide gigabit Ethernet capability on the desktop as well as expanded support for such complex applications as video and voice carried by IP. The worldwide Ethernet market will almost certainly require Layer 2 and 3 virtual private networks long before 2010.