Intel announces first network processor product line for home, SME applications

Intel Corporation today introduced three new network processors that address the needs of many wired and wireless applications for the home, small office/home office (SOHO) and small to medium enterprise (SME) market segments.

The new Intel IXP420, IXP421, IXP422 network processors provide developers with a choice of integrated data, voice and security features to meet the requirements of high-performance, cost-sensitive applications. With their Intel XScale core, these processors combine performance headroom to support rich application services with the time-to-market benefits of a common architecture.

The Intel IXP4XX product line provides equipment-makers with a wide range of WAN and LAN interfaces for a variety of applications. The IXP422 network processor is designed for residential gateways, wireless access points and SME routers and switches, including support for cryptography. The IXP421 network processor enables data plus voice over IP (VOIP) applications and the IXP420 network processor is optimised for broadband access applications such as home gateways and SOHO routers used with external modems.

"Intel continues to focus on providing network processor solutions that are increasingly cost-effective and power-efficient for our customers` applications and that extend from home and small office equipment to service providers` core switching equipment," said Nick Finamore, general manager, Intel Network Processor Division. "In addition, we continue to expand our extensive ecosystem of complementary products through the Intel Communications Alliance (ICA). Complementary silicon, operating systems, development tools and application solutions are increasingly available from members of the alliance."

Intel`s IXP4XX product line is already being adopted by network equipment providers like Linksys, a developer of secure and high performance wireless devices for business and hot spot environments.

"Today we are announcing a new generation of Linksys Wireless Access Points for small/medium business users based on the IXP422 and as the leader in wireless networking solutions for the home, SOHO and SMB environments, we believe the IXP422`s combination of high performance, scalability and cost-effectiveness can help Linksys extend our leadership with an advanced line of SMB wireless products," said Victor Tsao, president and CEO, Linksys.

"A key benefit of the Intel product line is that we were able to start developing products last fall around the Intel IXP425 network processor knowing that the IXP422 would be both hardware- and software-compatible and that we could go into volume production quickly when the IXP422 was available."

Intel also announced it is working with Microsoft Corp on porting the Windows CE .Net embedded operating system onto the Intel IXP425 network processor.

"The combination of the Intel IXP425 network processor and Windows CE .Net is a compelling and rich platform for OEM customers that need to get their next generation of smart, small footprint networked devices, such as residential gateways and VOIP phones, to market quickly," said Todd Warren, general manager of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft.

The IXP420 and IXP422 will have samples available in April with general availability in June and the IXP421 will sample in July, with general availability in September.

General availability of the Windows CE .Net board support package on the IXP425 begins later this year.