Intel Investors - Another Communications Chip from Intel/Level One for the router market.
Intel Corp. has rolled out its long-awaited LAN-switch chip for Layer 3 applications in Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet networks. The new IC propels Intel into the exploding Layer 3-based switch-chip market, which is currently dominated by a handful of fabless design houses, including Allayer, Broadcom, MMC Networks, PMC-Sierra and Vertex.
Paul
{============================}
<Intel rolls Layer 3 switch chip
By Mark LaPedus, Electronic Buyers' News
Sep 1, 1999 (3:15 PM)
URL: ebnews.com
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Completing another piece of its communications puzzle, Intel Corp. has rolled out its long-awaited LAN-switch chip for Layer 3 applications in Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet networks. The new IC propels Intel into the exploding Layer 3-based switch-chip market, which is currently dominated by a handful of fabless design houses, including Allayer, Broadcom, MMC Networks, PMC-Sierra and Vertex.
Layer 3-enabled switches, which are emerging in the LAN/WAN environment, enable packet-data to be routed quickly over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. In contrast, Layer 2-based switches — the most common platform found on the network today — send data only over a LAN.
Rolled out at the Intel Developer Forum here, the new IXE2412 is a high-end switch-chip that was originally developed by Acclaim Communications Inc. (San Jose, Calif.), an equipment maker. The company was bought last year for $120 million by LAN/WAN-chip specialist Level One Communications Inc., which itself was acquired in March by Intel for $2.2 billion.
The IXE2412 device also provides Layer 2 functions, but is especially adept at high-end Layer 3 applications, like routing and data-packet classification where it provides up to 100 Gbits/second of bandwidth, according to Tony Stelliga, vice president of Intel's recently-formed Softcom Business Unit, based in Fremont, Calif. The chip also supports 24 Fast Ethernet ports and two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
With the IXE2412, Intel is putting the pieces in place to compete in several LAN/WAN-chip markets. In July, the company acquired Softcom, a supplier of network-processor products, for $150 million. Softcom makes network processors for carrier-class applications in cutting-edge OC-3 to OC-48 networks.
Intel today also launched an internally-developed network-processor. Dubbed the IXP1200, the chip is a programmable, off-the-shelf processor that is intended to replace more expensive ASICs in routers and other equipment used in LAN/WAN applications. |
