Scumbria and Thread - CMP article about Intel Networking Processor initiatives.
techweb.com
Intel Sets Sites On Network Processor Market
(04/19/99, 5:13 p.m. ET)
By Mark LaPedus, Electronic Buyers' News
In another major effort to expand its communication-IC business, Intel announced plans Monday to enter the emerging network-processor business.
Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel, which is also in the process of acquiring LAN/WAN-chip giant Level One Communications for more than $2 billion, is the latest company to announce plans to enter the fast-growing networking processor market, a business projected to grow to more than $600 million by 2002, according to Dataquest, in San Jose, Calif.
Current vendors in the networking-processor business include C-Port, LSI Logic, MMC Networks, Maker, MIPS Technologies, Motorola, Softcom Microsystems, and T.sqware.
Network processors are used in LAN/WAN-equipment, such as switches, routers, and others. In theory, network process enables a LAN-based system to support WAN protocols, such as ATM and packet-over-Sonet.
In some cases, the network processor offloads critical instructions from the host processor in a system, thereby improving throughput. In other cases, these new processors can replace the host CPU.
Nonetheless, Intel has high hopes in the business. "This is the next significant step in Intel's strategy to be the leading supplier of communications building blocks," said Mark Christensen, vice president and general manager of Intel's Network Communications Group, in a statement.
Intel did not provide product details, but the chip giant would announce its new networking processors later this year.
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