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Xelerated and Teradiant collaborate on 40-Gbit/sec solution for metro Ethernet systems

Oct. 22, 2003

22 October 2003 San Jose, CA Lightwave -- Xelerated and Teradiant today announced availability of a joint solution targeting metro Ethernet systems. By combining Xelerated's X10q network processor and Teradiant's TeraPacket traffic manager, the solution enables networking OEMs to build an entire family of high-density, high-functionality metro Ethernet systems ranging from standalone "pizza box" systems to chassis-based systems.

22 October 2003 San Jose, CA Lightwave -- Xelerated and Teradiant today announced availability of a joint solution targeting high-performance, high functionality, cost optimized metro Ethernet systems. By combining Xelerated's X10q network processor and Teradiant's TeraPacket traffic manager, the solution enables networking OEMs to rapidly architect and build an entire family of high-density, high-functionality metro Ethernet systems ranging from standalone "pizza box" systems to chassis-based systems. Xelerated and Teradiant will provide a joint demonstration of the solution based on their development platforms at Network Processors Conference West, October 21-23, in San Jose, CA.

Targeting a range of advanced applications such as VPLS, MPLS, MartiniDraft, IPv6, IPv4, and Diffserv for metro core, metro edge and metro access, the solution demonstrates the ability to provide deterministic 40-Gbit/sec performance and advanced queuing for all packet sizes, say representatives for the companies. For example, the network processor, traffic manager switch, and associated memory devices consume only 14.6 W per 10 Gbits/sec in 40-Gbit/sec configurations. The chips' high levels of integration enable system vendors to achieve full-duplex bandwidth at less than $500 per 10 Gbits/sec for these components.

"By combining the industry's highest-performance network processor and traffic manager, Xelerated and Teradiant have set a new cost-for-performance standard at less than $500 per 10 Gbits/sec, including memories," contends John Metz, president of Metz International (Harvard, MA), a consulting firm specializing in network processing. "This potent combination provides networking system OEMs with tools to create leading-edge designs that slash both development time and cost."

According to the companies, the X10q is the only available programmable NPU capable of 20-Gbit/sec full-duplex performance at all packet sizes in a single chip, and TeraPacket is the only available traffic manager capable of 20-Gbit/sec full-duplex traffic management and 40-Gbit/sec switching on a single chip.

Both products' integration of high bandwidth and extensive feature set at a low cost-per-Gbit/sec enables network equipment OEMs to incorporate high-end chip solutions affordably in metro Ethernet networks.

The Xelerated-Teradiant solution takes advantage of the open architecture of the companies' devices. Communications between the NPU and traffic manager and with other system components occur over standard interfaces such as NPSI and SPI-4.2, simplifying system design. This open-standards approach enables network equipment OEMs to build systems using the best devices for the target application, rather than having to deal with single-vendor, proprietary solutions.

Demos of the Xelerated-Teradiant solution, handling a mix of networking protocols at line rate, are available at NPC West, Booth 215, in San Jose, October 21-23.

Both companies' chips are available now. TeraPacket is available in versions optimized for Ethernet and in versions optimized for SONET/SDH. Prices range from $495 to $1,095 in quantities of 10,000. The Xelerator X10q family of network processors consists of three products--X10q-e, X10q-m, and X10q-w--and prices range from $490 to $1,300 in quantities of 10,000.