| Gigabit-plus security processing cards use Linux, PCI Express |
Nov. 08, 2004
Cavium will launch a family of security accelerator cards based on the new PCI Express chip-to-chip interface, in Q1, 2005. The full-height Nitrox XL NPX cards will come with Linux drivers, and will target security appliances with multiple gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Models with 1.5- and 2.5-Gbps security processing will be offered initially.
What is PCI Express?
 PCI Express is a new interface that provides a higher-bandwidth alternative to the PCI and PCI-X buses. Unlike PCI, the PCI Express interface offers multiple serial communications links or "lanes" in each direction, so it can't be saturated by a single gigabit Ethernet interface the way PCI buses can. It also offers reduced pin count and hence requires less board space. Cavium says that high-end server and desktop chipsets are continuing to include PCI and PCI-X buses in their southbridges, while integrating 16-lane point-to-point PCI Express support directly into their northbridges.
Cavium's PCI Express cards
The Nitrox XL NPX boards will be the industry's first security cards based on PCI Express, Cavium says. They will include a "standard" 4-lane PCI Express interface theoretically capable of supporting up to 10Gbps of throughput. They will be able to increase throughput and reduce CPU load in gigabit-plus L4+ switches, load balancers, web switches, and VPN appliances, Cavium says, with up to 2.5Gbps security processing, and 28,000 RSA operations per second.
Later, Cavium plans to integrate PCI Express support directly into its security processors. For now, though, PCI Express support will be available on add-in board products based on Cavium's Nitrox family of security processors.
Cavium's Nitrox security processors
Cavium claims its security processors are the world's fastest security processors. Its Nitrox chip line supports symmetric encryption algorithms that include DES, 3DES, AES (all modes up to 256 bit), CCMP and ARC4, as well as asymmetric encryption including RSA and Diffie Hellman.
Cavium's security processor chips are available with a development kit that includes Linux and OS-independent drivers, debug utilities, APIs, and optimized open-source implementations of SSL and IPsec/IKE stacks with both IPv4 and IPv6 support. Additionally, commercially supported IPsec/SSL software stacks are available from Intoto, Safenet Quicksec, and RSA Security, Cavium says.
Availability
Two NPX family boards are expected in Q1, 2005, including the CN1220-350-NPX model offering 1.5Gbps of security processing, and the CN1230-350-NPX, offering 2.5-Gbps. The full-height, 4.2 x 6.6-inch cards will be priced at $690 and $900, respectively, in 1K quantities.
Cavium will also offer "comprehensive software support" for the boards, it says.
Cavium additionally expects to sample in Q1, 2005, its Octeon chip family, featuring chips with two- to 16 cores. Cavium announced its Octeon cores in September.
More information on PCI Express is available in this whitepaper.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
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.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
news feed