AMD Investors - "Unlike 3Com and Intel, however, AMD does not make or sell LAN cards. So instead, AMD must target its chips for second-tier LAN-card suppliers, namely those in Taiwan, according to Randy Smith, product marketing manager for AMD."
Here's the whole article on AMD's new LAN chip.
Paul
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AMD's single-chip controller stakes its claim in LAN-card biz
By Mark LaPedus, Electronic Buyers' News Feb 16, 1999 (11:58 AM) URL: ebnews.com
SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is turning up the heat in the competitive LAN-card IC business, rolling out a single-chip controller for use in Fast Ethernet networks. AMD's new devices combines the MAC and PHY IC on the same chip. The 3.3-v, PCI-bus Ethernet controller features AMD's advanced management capabilities, dubbed AlertIT. AlertIT technology is a combination of hardware and software that automatically alerts system administrators of any changes to a networked system or potential problems before they occur.
The new PCne-FAST III product line comes at a time when 3Com Corp., Intel Corp., and other LAN-card IC suppliers are fielding new single-chip devices for 10/100-Mbit/s networks.
The team of 3Com and Broadcom Corp. recently forged a deal to co-develop a single-chip device for use in 3Com's own LAN card lines, while Intel is reportedly about to ship its new 3.3-v product line for similar applications. At present, Intel has a 5-v, single-chip device used in its own LAN-card lines as well as for sale to OEMs.
Other chip suppliers, including Davicom Semiconductor Inc., and Realtek Semiconductor Inc., are also fielding single-chip controllers for LAN cards.
3Com and Intel dominate this market. The two companies have a combined share of nearly 75% of the world's LAN card market for Fast Ethernet networks, according to In-Stat Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.
3Com holds more than 50% market share in this area, while Intel has 24%, according to In-Stat Inc. The market for Fast Ethernet LAN cards showed an increase from 42.1 million units shipped in 1997 to 49.1 million units shipped in 1998, In-Stat said.
Unlike 3Com and Intel, however, AMD does not make or sell LAN cards. So instead, AMD must target its chips for second-tier LAN-card suppliers, namely those in Taiwan, according to Randy Smith, product marketing manager for AMD.
AMD's PCnet-FAST III device supports key industry specifications including ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface) and OnNow power management with AMD's patented Magic Packet remote wake-up technology. It is offered in two configurations: the Am79C973 and the Am79C975. The Am79C973 is $11.95, and the Am79C975 sells for $12.95, in 10,000-unit lots. Both devices are available immediately in either a 160-pin PQFP or 176-pin TQFP package. |
