Foundry chief lashes out at Cisco

Out of date and out of touch...

Foundry Networks claims its main switching competitor Cisco is failing to turn out state-of-the-art technology and is losing money because it is ignoring its core market.

Foundry Networks VP and MD EMEA Andy Palmer said Cisco's move into the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and professional services markets has compromised its financial status.

Palmer told silicon.com: "Cisco isn't delivering state-of-the-art technology anymore and neither is Nortel or Lucent."

Palmer added: "For the last two quarters we've made more money than Cisco. Cisco made two losses, we made two profits."

Martin van Schooten, spokesman for competitor Extreme Networks, said: "We still view Cisco as the leader of the networking market but everyone should focus on their core strengths and values."

However, Ovum analyst Tim Johnson cast doubt on Palmer's claim.

He said: "That's a bit rich, frankly. Cisco still has massive financial resources despite moving into other areas."

Cisco refused to comment.