STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 14 -- Worldwide Ethernet switch port shipments totaled 43.5 million units in the third quarter of 2003, a 10 percent increase from the third quarter of 2002, according to preliminary results by research and advisory firm Gartner Inc. However, worldwide Ethernet switch vendor revenue declined 10 percent from a year ago to $2.6 billion. "Viewed in context with other factors, these results suggest overall market conditions are improving," said Rachna Ahlawat, principal analyst for Gartner's Enterprise Networking and Communications Worldwide group. "However, it remains to be seen if the increase in revenue is just seasonal. The networking market is dependent on economic conditions and their effect on the business cycle." Gartner said Cisco Systems continued to dominate the market in the third quarter of 2003, claiming 73.6 percent of worldwide Ethernet switching revenue and 37.4 percent of port shipments. Overall ranking of the vendors shifted, the report says, with Extreme Networks dropping out of the top 5. Foundry Networks had a good quarter with 15.5 percent growth and jumped two spots to No. 4, Gartner said. For more information, visit: www.gartner.com