SAN JOSE, Calif. -- EZchip Technologies (a subsidiary of LanOptics Ltd., NASDAQ:LNOP), a fabless semiconductor company providing high-speed network processors, is disclosing details of its NP-2 family of network processors. The first two models of the NP-2 family consist of NP-2s, a 10-Gigabit Ethernet/SONET/SDH device, and NP-2e, a 10-Gigabit Ethernet-only device. Both NP-2 devices integrate a 10-Gigabit duplex NPU (network processor), classification engines, two traffic managers, ten 1-Gigabit MACs and one 10-Gigabit MAC in a single chip. The NP-2s also features two SPI4.2 interfaces with up to 192 channels.

Both devices provide the lowest system cost and power for high-density Metro Ethernet and Ethernet over SONET/SDH applications. Sampling for both NP-2 devices is slated for the fourth quarter of 2004, using TSMC 0.13 micron process. The NP-2s is priced at $795 and the NP-2e at $595 in quantities. NP-2 is based on the proven architecture of the now in production NP-1c, uses the same simple programming model and is software compatible to the NP-1c. A previously announced model of the NP-2, integrating TCP offload and Security engines to address the services market, is expected to sample next year. Additional NP-2 models targeting both lower and higher speeds than 10-Gigabit as well as other market segments will be announced separately.

"The NP-2 builds on the success of the NP-1c while reducing system chip count, cost, and power," noted Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. "The NP-2 is the first announced chip to combine a network processor and traffic manager for full-duplex 10Gbps applications. It enables a lower system cost and far lower system power than any 10Gbps NPU available today."

"EZchip continues its thrust forward to lead the network processors market," said Eli Fruchter, President and CEO of EZchip. "NP-2 solidifies our 10-Gigabit NPU leadership established with the NP-1c by furthering the integration and reducing the system chip count, power and cost. The NP-2s and NP-2e are first in a family of highly integrated network processors that will address more market segments and more speeds. By integrating all of the key line card components into a single chip, the NP-2 addresses a wide range of networking applications in the Wide Area Network (WAN), Metro Area Network (MAN) and data center. Specifically in the cost-sensitive Metro segment, the NP-2 can win over other network processors with its unmatched integration and over non-programmable network ASICs with the unlimited flexibility it provides."

EZchip Technologies