Parallogic will port its StriaEdge multi-core networking stack to ARM's multi-core ARM11 processor architecture, ARM Ltd. reports. The resulting Linux-based hardware/software design will enable home networking equipment capable of 400Mbps throughputs — enough for triple-play (voice/video/data) services, on-demand video, and multi-channel HDTV service delivery, ARM says.

Parallogic's StriaEdge software stack includes a parallel-processing TCP/IP stack, and was previously marketed for VPN (virtual private networking) and edge routing designs based on three separate processors: a Pentium M applications processor, an IXP2350 or IPX2400 NPU (network processing unit) running Linux, and an unspecified security co-processor.

Parallogic's currently available StriaEdge design uses three separate processors
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ARM says Parallogic's MPCore-based StriaEdge design will run Linux on one of the MPCore processor's ARM11 cores — with the others handling packet stream processing. Designs can utilize up to three packet-stream processing cores, according to cost/performance requirements, according to ARM.

ARM's MPCore architecture
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Additionally, “tight” QoS (quality-of-service) requirements are said to be possible, thanks to MPCore design's “multiple 64-bit MBA 3 AXI system bus interfaces.” ARM unveiled its AXI (advanced extensible interface) in July of 2004, shortly after introducing the MPCore.

According to Parallogic president Safa Alkateb, “StriaEdge [offers] the performance of a multiprocessor architecture, with the simplicity of a single processor programming model.”

Dave Steer, director of segment marketing at ARM, added, “By enabling designers to use up to four processors through asymmetric multiprocessing, ARM and Parallogic will enable OEMs to scale to meet future demands.”

ARM unveiled its MPCore CPU design in May of 2004, touting the product as its first “synthesizable multiprocessor” core. MPCore can be configured with 1-4 ARM11 cores clocked between 335 and 550 MHz. At top spec, it is claimed capable of offering 2,600 Dhrystone MIPS of aggregate performance.

Availability

Parallogic's StriaEdge for MPCore does not appear to be available yet, as no information about it appears on the company's website as of publication time. ARM's MPCore design has been available for some time.

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