Atlanta, GA — (press release extract) — ZNYX Networks today announced the first CompactPCI switch solution to solve critical time-to-market issues by employing open-source Linux for switch management. The new OpenArchitect CompactPCI switch enables OEMs and system integrators to deploy both standard and customized next-generation IP switching solutions using readily available open source applications. Unveiled at the VON (Voice On the Net) show in Atlanta, Georgia, the OpenArchitect technology is targeted for a wide array of CarrierClass telco, embedded, ISP, Internet backbone, and enterprise applications.

The first product in the series is the ZX4500 OpenArchitect, an Ethernet 10/100/1000 switching system implemented on a rugged, hot-swappable 6U CompactPCI subsystem. The embedded switch fabric provides line-rate service for 24 ports of 10/100BaseTX (either front or rear panel) and 2 ports of front-panel 1000BaseFX Gigabit Fiber capable of switching more than 6.6 million packets per second. The product includes sixty-four megabytes of packet buffer memory. The embedded Linux operating system runs on a PowerPC Motorola MPC8240 with 32MB of SDRAM and 32MB of Flash ROM. An on-board Processor-PMC slot is provided for adding either additional I/O peripherals (such as media conversion) or a second CPU for more demanding packet processing functions.

The ZX4500 OpenArchitect's small footprint has the advantage of high density, which enables network architects to pack more functionality into limited rack space, and achieve a cost benefit over conventional Telco switching solutions. In addition, the embedded switch fabric is fully scalable, and can be quickly configured to bridge to other media types using the Processor-PMC slot. By offering a solution for features such as IEEE 802.1p Class of Service, 802.1q VLANs, and stacking
of up to 720 ports of 10/100 and 30 ports of gigabit Ethernet under one management umbrella, OpenArchitect has empowered our partners with sophisticated features that support their requirements

“The ZX4500 can be run out-of-the box with any of a number of Flash ROM images downloaded from our web page,” said Alan Deikman, CTO of ZNYX Networks. “If the network architect wants additional functionality beyond that found in the standard binaries, we provide a Linux-based software development kit with all the source code to enable the designer to easily generate his or her own. Switch applications that are already running on Linux or UNIX can be quickly ported to OpenArchitect, and the customer can upgrade the switch in the field with new software at any time.” Mr. Deikman explained that added functionality could include any new Layer 2 or Layer 3 protocols, Layer 2 through 7 filtering, management functions, security, media conversion, and high-availability failover configurations.

Target Applications

In addition to standard Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching at 10/100/1000 speeds, ZNYX Networks OEM partners have expressed demand for using the OpenArchitect series of products in the following applications:

• VoIP gateways and call managers
  
• Firewalls/VPN
  
• Integrated Access DSL Concentrators
  
• IP Backplane Switching
  
• Multimedia Gateway Controllers
  
• SS7 Signaling Agents
  
• Load balancing switch systems
  
• Fault-tolerant military Command and Control systems

General availability of OpenArchitect is scheduled for November 2000 with a suggested list price of $6,500, for the base CompactPCI module.

 
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