GDA Technologies has released a pair of reference design kits (RDKs) that support embedded Linux based designs using the Intel IXP2400 and Intel IXP2800/2850 network processors. The RDKs are based on industry standard board form-factors, and are useful for designing a variety of network devices, according to GDA.

IXP2400 Reference Design Kit

GDA's IXP2400 Reference Design Kit is a PCI adapter card compliant with the PCI Local Bus Specification, Version 2.2 interface for 64- bit / 66 MHz I/O Cards. It comes with an embedded Linux board support package.

According to GDA, the card features the fully programmable, high-performance Intel IXP2400 network processor, and includes an OC48 Interface and two Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces. It also includes a SODIMM slot for DDR memory, Flash memory, Quad Data Rate II (QDR-II) SRAM, and has a serial port for easy debugging.

The board's PCI interface enables the board to be used as a ready-made plug-in CPU module, the company says, while other features allow the board to be used as a control/management processor sub-system in a variety of system designs. The RDK can also serve as a bridge between the OC48 and Ethernet interfaces.

IXP2800 Reference Design Kit

GDA's IXP2800 Reference Design Kit is designed to serve as a PrPMC (Processor PCI Mezzanine Card) platform, and is compliant with VITA (VME-Bus International Trade Association) 32 Standard, according to GDA. The PMC form-factor enables system integrators and OEMs to use it as a plug-in network processor module on system controller cards, motherboards, I/O peripheral boards, server blades, and security servers, according to GDA.

The IXP2800 RDK supports Quad Data Rate (QDR) memory, RDRAM modules, and Flash memory, providing developers the flexibility to explore various development applications around the Intel IXP2800 network processor, according to GDA. With the addition of an external daughter card through the kit's SPI.4-2 interface, the kit can be used to run various applications that have an aggregate bandwidth of 10 Gbps, according to GDA. Such possible applications include SONET/SDH, POS, ATM, and Gigabit Ethernet.

The board is also available with the Intel IXP2850 network processor, which adds security features.

Debugger

GDA offers an optional debug and diagnostics software tool that is available with both RDKs. This tool provides a basic boot monitor, along with diagnostic routines and loop-back tests. GDA claims the tool will allow customers to shorten debug and test cycle time, a significant portion of the product development cycle.

Operating system services

At present, embedded Linux is supported on both RDKs, GDA says it will consider porting other popular embedded operating systems to the kits. Additionally, GDA offers various engineering design services, including systems, boards, and PCB layouts, as well as custom and semi-custom chip IP development.

“The Intel IXP2400 and the Intel IXP2800 are the leading network processors in the industry today with their powerful performance and flexibility of programming,” said Gopa Periyadan, vice president of system and software design services at GDA Technologies.

 
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