Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Chip vendors partner on Linux switches
Dec. 04, 2007

Two fabless networking chip vendors will collaborate on Linux-based reference designs for managed enterprise switches and SOHO/SMB routers. The designs will combine Cavium's multi-core MIP64-based Octeon processors with Broadcom's StrataXGS and RoboSwitch Gigabit Ethernet switches, and run Linux along with LVL7's Fastpath TCP/IP stack.

The partnership, which also gives Cavium access to Broadcom's "HiGig" 10Gbps Ethernet switch technology, is a response to the widespread use of the two companies' processors in the same networking boards, claims Cavium. Potential customers for the joint reference designs include manufacturers of intelligent enterprise switches and Layer 4+ switches based on Broadcom's StrataXGS networking chip, and vendors of SOHO/SMB routers based on Broadcom's RoboSwitch chip.


Broadcom StrataXGS diagram
(Click to enlarge)


The reference designs will incorporate Octeon processors on both the control plane and as a services processor, says Cavium. Replacing separate control and data-plane processors with a single highly integrated SoC (system-on-chip) was the company's overarching goal when it launched the (for the time) massively multi-core Octeon architecture, back in 2004 (story).


Octeon Plus CN5860 block diagram
(Click to enlarge)


Cavium already supports Broadcom's HiGig 10Gbps Ethernet interface technology in its latest Octeon processors that have 10-Gigabit interfaces, but says the new licensing should improve the integration. The protocol, which has been around for a few years, but was recently upgraded, enhances Ethernet switching for improved scalability with stacking and QoS features, says Cavium. Broadcom's HiGig 10Gbps expansion ports are said to support explicit priority, port trunking, and mirroring functions across switch elements, enabling up to 32 Broadcom BCM5692 switches to interconnect.

On the software side, the designs will use a commercial Linux TCP/IP stack from LVL7. Long-time Broadcom partner LVL7 touted support for RoboSwitch about two years ago, and support for StrataXGS about a year ago, with the release of Fastpath 4.4.3.

LVL7 also recently adopted Wind River Linux as a preferred platform, suggesting that the Cavium/Broadcom designs might run Wind River's Platform for Network Equipment, Linux Edition, although the companies did not stipulate that.

Martin Lund, GM of Broadcom's network switching unit, stated, "We are seeing the rapid adoption of gigabit connectivity with the need for intelligent services at line-rate in both enterprise and SMB/home networks."

Cavium CEO Syed Ali stated, "Customers are looking for processor solutions that scale from home/SMB to enterprise-class performance with software compatibility."

Cavium achieved the biggest design win yet for its MIPS64-based Octeon processors this summer, when tier-one NEP (network equipment provider) Motorola announced its ATCA-9301 blade, which incorporates one or two of Cavium's Octeon Plus CN5860 processors. Equipped with 16 MIPS64 cores clocked at 900MHz, each CN5860 incorporates hardware engines for TCP offload, compression/decompression, regex, cryptography, and packet queuing and scheduling. Octeon processors ship with MontaVista or Wind River Linux distros.

Availability

Neither Cavium Networks or Broadcom provided information on pricing or availability for the integrated Octeon/StrataXGS and Octeon/RoboSwitch reference designs.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Hacker-friendly karaoke PMP runs Linux
• Maemo gains KOffice port
• OLPC partners with Amazon, ITU
• "cJTAG" debuts
• First $100 laptop runs Linux
• First Linux on Everest
• Dell ships Ubuntu- and Atom-based netbook
• Smallest x86 board ever?
• MontaVista Vision gains focus
• "Olympics" phone runs Linux
• Android Challenge winners push location awareness
• Atmel-based industrial SBC runs Linux
• Atom squeezes onto Pico-ITX board
• Via frees Chrome graphics driver source
• Webinar dissects Linux multicore migration


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Updated! Linux Mobile Phones Showcase
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• First Atom-based notebook runs Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• "PDA phone" runs Linux
• Intel offers $80 "Little Falls" Atom mobo
• Netflix Player runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• OSCON 2008 presentations, videos posted
• Debian distro named for little green man
• Google spins web browser
• Summit debuts for Linux end users
• "UbuntuLite" reviewed
• Linux in the SME
• Linux: not yet photo-friendly
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.