Intel, PowerX Team on Switching

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Intel Corporation and Power X Networkshave agreed to work together on development of technology to easily connectIntel's fastest network processor with Power X's intelligent switch fabric,a significant step toward streamlining development of next?generationInternet networking equipment.This new technology will help reduce the risk, time and cost of buildingpowerful, scalable systems. Assuring interoperability between the Intel®IXP1200 Network Processor and the Power XT Networks TeraChannel® SwitchFabric subsystem reduces the design cycle of intelligent routers, switchesand other access equipment that enterprises and network service providersuse to manage voice and data traffic at the edge of their networks.In networking equipment, the switch fabric connects multiple networkprocessors, determining the scale of the system, and enabling intelligentprioritization and traffic routing within the equipment.

"High-bandwidth packet processing and switch fabric technologies availablein merchant silicon format are key to supporting the exploding growth of theInternet," said Bob Larribeau, director of Access Networks and Edge Switchand Routing for industry analyst RHK, Inc. "RHK expects that the market forsystems using these chips will grow from $6.5 billion in 2000 to $32.5billion in 2004. Suppliers that can demonstrate performance,interoperability and added features will best meet the requirements forbandwidth growth and time to market of the leading public network serviceproviders."

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