Switch Fabric Chips deliver 384 Gbps non-blocking switching.
Press Release Summary:
Designed for use in 1 GbE and 10 GbE stackable and chassis-based enterprise networking systems, StrataXGS III BCM56700 Series features up to 16 ports of HiGig(TM) stacking, with each port capable of running at 12+ Gbps. Service Aware Flow Control(TM) technology guarantees delivery of high priority, time-sensitive traffic in converged Ethernet network, even during periods of heavy congestion, while dynamic buffer management intelligently manages bursts in network traffic.
Original Press Release:
Broadcom Delivers First Single-Chip 384 Gigabit-per-Second Fabric for Stackable and Chassis-based Enterprise Switches
New StrataXGS(R) III Switch Fabric Breaks the Performance Barrier in Stackable Systems, Improving Performance to Rival Chassis-Based Systems
LAS VEGAS, Interop 2006, May 2 / / -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new series of switch fabric chips for its industry-leading line of StrataXGS(R) III Ethernet switching products. The new chips are the industry's first to deliver up to 384 Gigabits-per- second (Gbps) of non-blocking switching capacity on a single chip. Furthermore, in multi-chip configurations, the fabric can scale to more than 3 terabits per second, which is more than double the capacity available from previous generation fabrics. The new switch fabric chips are designed for use in 1 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) stackable and chassis-based enterprise networking systems, and improve the performance in stackable systems by enabling a level of bandwidth that is typically only found in chassis-based equipment.
Enterprise networking equipment manufacturers are striving to develop 1GbE and 10GbE systems with increased port counts and functionality to handle the growth of business applications and converged network traffic (i.e. voice, video, data and storage) that is found in today's business environments. The network must also provide guaranteed delivery of high-priority, time-sensitive traffic such as voice and video. To support these new system demands, the switch fabric that interconnects the stackable and chassis-based systems must have increased capacity and support a high level of quality of service (QoS). In chassis-based systems, the additional capacity is typically achieved by upgrading the central system switch fabric card, and in stackable configurations, additional stacking links must be added.
Announced today is Broadcom's new StrataXGS III BCM56700 Series, which features up to 16 ports of HiGig(TM) stacking, with each port capable of running at 12+ Gbps. The new StrataXGS III 700 Series is unparalleled in its stacking capability, and in a typical configuration, offers up to 144 Gbps full duplex bandwidth, or 288 Gbps of stacking capability. As a result, the new switch fabric chips break the performance barrier of stackable systems, enabling them to reach a higher level of bandwidth that is typically associated with chassis-based systems.
The BCM56700 Series features Service Aware Flow Control(TM) (SAFC) technology, which allows guaranteed delivery of high priority, time-sensitive traffic in a converged Ethernet network, even during periods of heavy network congestion. The BCM56700 also features dynamic buffer management, which intelligently manages bursts in network traffic, resulting in better network performance.
"Broadcom's new switch fabric addresses the need for increased performance of next-generation enterprise systems, while improving functionality, security and quality of service," said Eric Hayes, Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Enterprise Switching Line of Business. "As a new addition to the StrataXGS family, the BCM56700 enables Broadcom to continue to offer the industry's most comprehensive Ethernet switching portfolio."
"Broadcom reinforces its leadership in Ethernet semiconductor technology by delivering new products with advanced features and higher performance to the market," said Michael See, CTO for Alcatel's network infrastructure development. "The innovative networking software from Alcatel combined with state-of-the-art switching silicon from Broadcom adds up to world-class enterprise switching platforms for converged voice, video, and data networks."
The StrataXGS III BCM56700 Series provides a variety of features required for the enterprise networking market including:
o 384 Gbps wire-speed performance on a single chip
o 16 integrated high-speed XAUI+ interfaces, which reduce total cost and board space
o 10 priority queues per port for control and user data to enable a high level of QoS
o Built-in hardware load balancing for trunks to provide even traffic distribution
o Hardware link failover, which enables switch over to a backup link in less than 10 microseconds when an active link fails
Availability
The StrataXGS III BCM56700 Series is sampling today and features a mature software API, which is currently supported by multiple third-party software vendors. Volume production of the new BCM56700 Series is anticipated in July 2006. Product pricing is available upon request.
StrataXGS III 700 Series reference designs are also available to help speed time-to-market and include software, schematics, layout files and related documentation.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Our products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. Broadcom provides 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, one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies with annual revenue of more than $2.5 billion, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at www.broadcom.com.
Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R), the Connecting everything logo, StrataXGS(R), HiGig(TM), and Service Aware Flow Control(TM) are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, the EU and/or certain other countries. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Broadcom Technical, John Mui, Product Line Manager, +1-408-922-5638, jmui@broadcom.com, all of Broadcom Corporation
