Security processor vendor Cavium Networks and embedded Linux supplier MontaVista Software announced a hardware/software duo they claim offers two- to three-times faster IPsec VPN performance (up to 150Mbps) on Intel IXP4XX network processors compared to existing solutions at similar… price-points. The trick is to use Cavium's NITROX Lite CN501 security processor along with MontaVista Linux Professional Edition 2.1 or 3.0 which now supports the CN501.

(Click for larger view of NITROX XL Mini-PCI)

The combo targets SOHO and SME gateway manufacturers building security appliances that support broadband speeds up to 50Mbps, such as VDSL, and Fast Ethernet deployment. Other security applications include voice over IPsec, SSL VPNs, and wireless LAN security (802.11i): the companies claim the solution provides greater headroom on the IXP4XX to implement richer application functionality, such as firewalls, deep packet inspection, and voice-over-IP.

Cavium claims its NITROX XL Mini-PCI card (dimensions: 2 x 2.3 inches) enables easy and rapid integration into hardware designs such as ADI Engineering's Coyote Gateway Reference Design. The card is accompanied by an IPsec stack based on FreeS/wan and drivers integrated with MontaVista Linux Professional Edition.

The CN501 is available immediately for $14.95 in quantities of 10,000, or on Cavium's NITROX XL Mini-PCI Board for $64.50 in quantities of 1,000.

 
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