NEC selects Agere Systems network processor for high-speed router family

14 April 2003 Allentown, PA Lightwave -- NEC is using Agere Systems' network processor, which includes traffic management capability, in its CX4200 broadband switching routers. The routers are primarily purchased by telecommunications service providers and deployed in their central offices.

The PayloadPlus network processors perform various "traffic cop" functions, including traffic management, which is handling voice and Internet data signals flowing in and out of the routing equipment. Traffic management sets and schedules priorities for volumes of traffic, times, and locations for delivery of high-qualify and prioritized voice and data services.

"NEC's router customers want quick and inexpensive access to voice, data, and video signals traveling through multiple types of equipment, protocols, and services, including ATM and IP," said Akifumi Yonehara, chief manager, IP Networks Division, Broadband Networks Operations Unit of NEC.

"Agere's chip solution has that versatility to smoothly access these numerous types of services," Yonehara added. "In addition, Agere's fast and high bandwidth traffic management performance-the best we've seen on the market--makes Agere's product particularly attractive to us, because it addresses our customers needs for reliably and cost-effectively handling large volumes of voice and data traffic."

Agere provides software to run its network processor, which dramatically reduces the time and money NEC has to spend programming the chip. The company also offers a software migration to next-generation routers and network processors. The collaboration between the two companies is part of a broader relationship that includes broadband equipment ranging from multi-gigabit Ethernet speeds up to 10 Gbits/sec.