Intel, the world`s leading maker of personal computer chips, on Monday said the company had begun mass-production of new higher-speed network processors that are key to its thrust into new communications markets.
The company said it was producing mass quantities of its IXP1200 network processor, including its most recent model that can process 3 million packets of data per second and operate at 200 million cycles per second. The chip is capable of running terabit, or trillion bit per second, network equipment and offers so-called "quality of service," which gives priority to certain types of data, such as voice or video.
In addition to the 200 megahertz version, Intel also is producing a 166 megahertz version of the network processor, that is capable of handling 2.5 million packets per second.
Intel said than 25 network equipment manufacturers have selected the IXP1200 Network Processor for a range of applications, including switches and routers capable of handling voice and data and secure private networks.
The IXP1200 is considered easier to use in new network products because it can be programmed by equipment makers to differentiate their products via software, which helps reduce development costs. The 166 megahertz chips starts at $200 per chip, while the 200 megahertz chip begins at $300.
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