Product category:
Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: Zarlink Semiconductor | Subject: ZL33032 and ZL33050
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 16 May 2006
Ethernet switches take more onboard
Two new devices enable network access equipment to aggregate, inspect and modify real-time traffic in triple play and carrier-grade Ethernet VLAN applications.
Zarlink Semiconductor has expanded its ClassSwitch Ethernet platform with two new devices enabling lower cost design and faster deployment of network access equipment that must aggregate, inspect and modify real-time traffic in triple play and carrier-grade Ethernet VLAN (virtual local area network) applications Seeking new ways to deliver the complete range of applications over more efficient network architectures, carriers are deploying PON technology to carry triple play voice, video and data services over fibre networks
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 7 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Packet processor for broadband networks
Mitel Semiconductor has introduced the world's highest density AAL2 segmentation and re-assembly (SAR) device.
Quality of service is key to Gigabit Ethernet ICs
The MVTX2800 family of Gigabit Ethernet switching ICs from Zarlink Semiconductor deliver full-wire speed forwarding and leading quality of service features to metropolitan optical access equipment.
Carriers are also transitioning traditional enterprise services, such as leased lines, to converged end-to-end private VLAN services.
Building on the previously released ClassSwitch devices, the new ZL33032 and ZL33050 chips are the industry's first Ethernet switches integrating embedded memory with patent-pending protection switching and enhanced per-flow QoS (quality of service) features - key elements in the delivery of advanced services including IPTV (Internet Protocol television) and end-to-end private VLAN.
The devices deliver the critical switching and aggregation performance required for IP-DSLAMs (IP-digital subscriber line access multiplexer), MTU/MDU (multi-tenant/multi-dwelling unit) switch systems, PON units, and micro-MSPPs (multi-service provisioning platforms) carrying Ethernet services over Sonet/SDH networks.
Further reading
Chipset saves space, cuts costs for TDMA handsets
Zarlink Semiconductor has announced a new highly integrated RF chipset for cellular handsets operating in dual-mode TDMA/AMPS networks.
First AAL1 device to perform on-chip ATM switching
Zarlink Semiconductor claims the MT90503 is the industry's highest density AAL1 segmentation and reassembly (SAR) chip for TDM to ATM conversion.
Ultra-low-power process aims for low-voltage SoCs
Zarlink Semiconductor has expanded its foundry services with a new ultra-low-power analogue nonvolatile 0.35-micron CMOS process optimised for low-voltage (1V) and low-power applications.
The ZL33032 embedded memory switch is a fully featured device with 24 Fast Ethernet and four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
The ZL33050 delivers the same features and port configurations, with the option to add external memory to support applications requiring additional traffic burstiness, more complex congestion control and advanced traffic shaping.
Zarlink's new ClassSwitch devices integrate rapid failure detection and protection switching features to identify network errors and minimise frame loss.
Unlike common "link" based failure detection mechanisms, the ClassSwitch devices feature integrated "protocol" based protection, enabling the user to detect failures at the far-end of the network.
The devices incorporate an algorithm capable of periodically sending programmable packet beacons (for example, ping packets) across the network using specialised built-in hardware, without requiring CPU intervention.
If a failure occurs in the far-end system all packets belonging to the session can be rapidly diverted to a backup path.
Carriers are generating additional revenues by charging a premium for higher bandwidth services, such as VoD (video-on-demand) and enterprise VLAN services.
This requires high-intelligence Ethernet switches that can better regulate bandwidth and meet strict SLAs (service level agreements).
Key features integrated into the ZL33032 and ZL33050 ClassSwitch devices, including input/output rate control and per-flow QoS traffic policing, allow carriers to precisely control bandwidth, bill customers for the exact amount of bandwidth used, and improve network bandwidth management.
Integrated flow-based QoS features allow service providers to maintain secure connections for their customers and control access by detecting unique traffic streams and limiting datarates for specific applications.
Packets entering the device are classified to a flow based on user-defined rules, using information such as frame source and destination addresses or applications using the Layer 2 to Layer 7 fields of incoming packets.
Up to 1024 distinct flows can be created per device.
The architecture supports per-flow two rate, three-colour metering and policing.
Scheduling algorithms, such as SP (strict priority) and WFQ (weighted fair queuing), manage packets and prioritise traffic.
Flow metering also enhances network security by detecting and discarding illegal or harmful traffic.
To further protect against viruses and malicious attacks, ClassSwitch devices integrate a hardware-based DoS (denial of service) attack-flow engine.
Zarlink's ZL33032 and ZL33050 ClassSwitch devices are supported by a full software development kit including device driver source code, board supporting package for the ClassSwitch evaluation system and a comprehensive set of APIs for chip configuration to simplify the programming of the chip registers and enable faster system development.
Evaluation boards can be ordered with plug-in modules for 100/1000 Ethernet transceivers as well as CPUs based on PowerPC, ARM and MIPS.
The ZL33032 and ZL33050 devices are available now.
Other port configurations such as 16 FE+4 GE and 8 FE+4 GE will be available soon.
• Zarlink Semiconductor: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
