Intelligent GbE Switches are produced in 65 nm CMOS process.

Press Release Summary:



Along with 32-bit MIPS® CPU processor and QoS capabilities, StrataXGS® 200 Series contains integrated multilayer Ethernet switches that support, depending on model, up to 8/16/24 GbE ports and 4 uplinks. Products operate at 10/100/1000 Mbps and provide wire speed Layer 2 switching as well as Layer 3 routing for manageable enterprise networks. They also perform IPv6 routing and transition services in hardware. Hardware-based scheme also facilitates migration from IPv4 to IPv6.



Original Press Release:



Broadcom Extends Leadership in Networking Silicon Market with Industry's First 65 Nanometer Gigabit Ethernet Switches



Broadcom(R) StrataXGS(R) 200 Series Delivers Intelligence While Addressing Low Power Requirements for Data Center, Enterprise and Service Provider Networks

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 29 -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the availability of the industry's first Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switches produced in 65 nanometer (65nm) CMOS process technology. Broadcom leveraged its advanced 65nm intellectual property (IP) portfolio to develop the StrataXGS(R) 200 series, a new generation of intelligent GbE switches that will accelerate the deployment of secure unified communications infrastructures. An unprecedented level of integration is achieved using 65nm process technology, which enables lower-power silicon solutions that can reduce overall system costs in applications for local area networks (LAN), service providers and data centers. Today's announcement extends Broadcom's leadership in the networking silicon market, where it currently holds 70 percent market share in merchant silicon for GbE switch integrated circuits (ICs)(1).

To minimize capital expenditures and reduce operating costs of network infrastructures, information technology (IT) professionals are often faced with the challenging task of simplifying the management of desktop PCs, VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, handheld devices and security appliances. This challenge, coupled with the deployment of new applications and the on- going convergence of voice, video and data services, has intensified the need for reliable, secure, high performance unified networks. Ethernet switching is the most pervasive and cost-effective solution to address these IT issues. Migrating to 65nm process technology allows Broadcom to pack more memory and logic onto a single piece of silicon, which ultimately results in better security and increased system performance in unified networks.

"Broadcom has combined its field-proven, market leading StrataXGS architecture with our advancements in 65nm process technology to raise the bar again in the networking semiconductor market," said Eric Hayes, Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Networking Switch line of business. "With the StrataXGS 200 series, Broadcom continues to effectively address critical market needs of not only enterprise local area networks, but also service providers and data centers as well."

The StrataXGS 200 Series

The new StrataXGS 200 series contains highly integrated multilayer Ethernet switches that can support up to 28 GbE ports and can operate at 10/100/1000 Megabits per second (Mbps). The series provides wire speed Layer 2 (L2) switching and Layer 3 (L3) routing for highly manageable enterprise networks. It also performs IPv6 routing and transition services in hardware, allowing IT professionals to deploy future-proofed L3 switches. This hardware-based scheme supports manageable L3 networks and enables an easy migration from IPv4 to IPv6.

The series also integrates a 32-bit MIPS(R) CPU processor optimized for running demanding network management applications. Advanced QoS capabilities, including sophisticated metering, statistics and traffic management, prepare the network for the inevitable explosion of voice and video content and will allow for a better end-user experience.

The 65nm process is the most advanced lithographic node for manufacturing semiconductors in large volumes today. It provides significant benefits over 90nm and 130nm processes by enabling lower power consumption, smaller size, higher yields and higher levels of integration. With the depth and breadth of Broadcom's advanced portfolio of market-proven IP, the company is able to drive innovative new products to market and differentiate its solutions from the competition.

Pricing and Availability

Featuring the industry's highest integration, lowest power consumption, and smallest size, StrataXGS 200 series switches are now sampling to early access customers. The product family features a mature, widely adopted software API, which is common across the entire product line and supported by multiple third-party software vendors, as well as Broadcom's LVL7 FASTPATH(TM) application layer software. StrataXGS 200 series reference designs are available to help speed time-to-market and include software, schematics, layout files and related documentation. The StrataXGS 200 series includes the following products, each targeting different port and functionality requirements as follows:

-- BCM56224 (24 GbE ports + 4 uplinks)
-- BCM56226 (16 GbE ports + 4 uplinks)
-- BCM56228 (8 GbE ports + 4 uplinks)

Product pricing is available upon request.

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art, system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything(R).

Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with 2006 revenue of $3.67 billion, and holds over 2,200 U.S. and 900 foreign patents, more than 6,600 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video and data. Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5900 or at www.broadcom.com.

Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R), the Connecting everything logo, StrataXGS(R), and FASTPATH(TM) are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. MIPS(R) is a trademark of MIPS Technology Inc. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

(1) Source: The Linley Group, Inc., Networking Silicon Market Share 2006 Report

Broadcom Technical Contact
Amy Wong
Senior Product Line Manager
408-922-8160
awong@broadcom.com

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