Network processors not just for routers anymore

Computer/Embedded Technology

Computing hardware suppliers

Computing software suppliers

Computing technology suppliers

printer friendly version

23 October 2002 Computer/Embedded Technology

The network processor (NPU) market has been hit hard by the economic downturn that resulted after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and, as a result, a much higher percentage (upwards of 80%) than normal of design wins that were started in 2001 have been cancelled in the last year. This is according to research firm In-Stat/MDR, which reports that a whole new crop of opportunities have arisen for NPUs, and while they were spawned specifically to address the router market, the core strengths of these devices, namely being programmable and economical, have caused them to be successful in a wide spectrum of new applications.

The opportunities that have arisen for NPUs capitalise on green field conditions like resilient packet rings (RPR) and wireless infrastructure equipment for 3G, says InStat. Others, like IP service switches and multiservice provisioning platforms (MSPPs), are being built to integrate within legacy networks today, and then provide an economical path for adding additional capabilities and services later. However, InStat believes that many NPU vendors are still toiling and nurturing their 'design win fields,' in the hope that, eventually, the harvest will come in.

InStat expects that in 2003, the average selling price of Metro NPUs will plummet 13%, mainly due to companies like Motorola and IBM releasing new, slower and cheaper Metro NPUs that will compete against Intel's success with its first NPU. It says that this effect will be temporary, and by 2005, the annual depreciation rate for Metro NPUs will be a more reasonable 8%.

Share this article:

1.6T Ethernet IP solution to drive AI and hyperscale data centre chips
Computer/Embedded Technology
As artificial intelligence (AI) workloads continue to grow exponentially, and hyperscale data centres become the backbone of our digital infrastructure, the need for faster and more efficient communication technologies becomes imperative. 1.6T Ethernet will rapidly be replacing 400G and 800G Ethernet as the backbone of hyperscale data centres.

Read more...

Maximising edge computing
Computer/Embedded Technology
Senao Networks has announced its launch of its SX904 SmartNIC based on the Intel NetSec Accelerator Reference Design.

Read more...

Duxbury unveils next-gen solar-powered switches
Computer/Embedded Technology
These powerful solar-powered switches are ideal for any environment requiring reliable Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capabilities.

Read more...

UFS Ver. 4.0 embedded Flash memory devices
EBV Electrolink Computer/Embedded Technology
KIOXIA Europe has announced sampling of the industry’s first Universal Flash Storage (UFS) version 4.0 embedded Flash memory devices designed for automotive applications.

Read more...

Powering factory automation into the future
Rugged Interconnect Technologies Computer/Embedded Technology
Powered by the newest 13th Gen Intel processors, ADLINK Technology’s COM-HPC-cRLS module is a future-proof edge AI solution.

Read more...

Linux OS with immutable file system
Computer/Embedded Technology
What really sets VanillaOS apart from others, however, is in security, where it takes a new approach to computing by using an immutable file system for improved security and stability.

Read more...

Categories

Computer/Embedded Technology

Network processors not just for routers anymore

Further reading:

Publications by Technews