MARCH 6, 2007 -- EZchip Technologies Ltd. (a subsidiary of LanOptics Ltd.), a fabless semiconductor company providing high-speed network processors, has made available application code and tech notes for its network processors implementing new operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) specifications. The OAM code enables vendors of Carrier Ethernet switches and routers (CESR) that utilize EZchip's NP-2 and its next-generation network processors to implement the OAM specifications that can help improve reliability and availability in Carrier Ethernet networks.
EZchip plans to highlight its OAM implementation along with other benefits of its network processors in the upcoming Metro Ethernet Equipment Design Seminar hosted by The Linley Group on March 13, in the DoubleTree Hotel, San Jose, CA.
As Ethernet gains traction in the carrier infrastructure, the management aspects of the network come more and more into play. There is much activity in this area through different standards bodies that define Ethernet OAM functionality equivalent to what carriers are accustomed to in SONET and ATM networks. These standards provide a full set of performance monitoring, statistics and connectivity fault management capabilities.
OAM processing burdens CESR equipment with significant processing overhead related to complex packet classification, simultaneous monitoring of many sessions, and accurate bandwidth control. Since Ethernet network deployments are at their start and as OAM requirements are evolving and specifications are still being defined, OAM implementation will likely require occasional updating, EZchip contends. Successful OAM processing therefore calls for offloading the processing intensive data-path tasks to the network processor. The company says its network processors offer processing flexibility, integrated traffic management, and OAM support hardware to provide high-performance OAM processing that can adapt to changing standards and requirements.
"We are pleased to offer advanced OAM offload capabilities to our customers; this is an extremely important aspect in the successful deployment of Carrier Ethernet networks," says Patrick Bisson, vice president of technology applications. "It is a perfect example that highlights the flexibility and integration of EZchip's network processors and the benefits they bring for building successful CESR equipment."
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