Johannesburg, 19 Jun 2003
Flextronics SA today announced the development of a new multi-protocol fast path switch (MP-FPS) building block for Intel IXP2400 and IXP2800 network processors.
Flextronics SA is a technology supplier providing high-value design services and complementary technology building blocks. Senior director, Mark Robson comments: "Increased demand for network processor technology combined with a need to provide our customers with fast time-to-market and excellent quality at low cost, prompted us to start work on the MP-FPS."
Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), a layer two label switching architecture, is an important IETF-specified solution for efficient packet transport in the next generation network (NGN). It builds on and integrates existing network transport standards to provide an elegant and flexible solution to bandwidth, quality of service and scalability issues inadequately addressed by specialised switching hardware.
MP-FPS is an MPLS data-plane switching solution that complies with the Intel IXA Portability Framework and is interoperable with other compliant offerings. It is based on, and is compatible with, the MPLS Framework as specified in RFC 3031.
The Intel IXA Portability Framework and its underlying support infrastructure simplify IXP2400 and IXP2800 network processor programming. The framework provides a modular environment allowing existing code to be integrated with building blocks at both the microengine and Intel XScale microarchitecture core levels.
MP-FPS provides the following functionality through optimised microcode and core components:
* A link layer interface that abstracts the physical transport media from the rest of the application;
* An ingress filter that discriminates MPLS packets and enforces service level agreements;
* A forwarding equivalency class (FEC) classifier interface that allows for external classification;
* An MPLS packet processing and label operations unit that forms the core of the MPLS label switching functionality;
* An optional general switch management protocol (GSMP) based configuration interface;
* An egress quality of service scheduler; and
* A legacy stack interface for access to a legacy network layer protocol, allowing higher layer protocols to co-exist with MP-FPS.
Robson concludes: "Developments like the MP-FPS are new to Flextronics SA`s business model but, as a technology supplier to our customers, having re-usable building blocks adds significant value to our core engineering service offerings. It also demonstrates our innovation and competence in network processor solution architecture, design and microcode implementation."
The first release of the MP-FPS building block will be available later this year.
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