Communications: Network Processor Delivers 5 Gbits/s At 2.5-Gbit/s Prices

Doubling the performance of its 2.5-Gbit/s predecessors, the NP-2/5 network processor delivers 5-Gbit/s full-duplex operation. The chip costs less than the company's NP-2/10 10-Gbit/s NPU and is priced comparably to the 2.5-Gbit/s devices while providing twice the processing headroom and twice the number of Gigabit Ethernet ports. The NP-2/5 includes 10 1-Gbit Ethernet ports for 2:1 oversubscription, one 10-Gbit port, two SPI 4.2 interfaces, and integrated traffic-management support. The NP-2/5 and NP-2/10 are pin- and software-compatible, so it's easy to create a family of system products based on one board layout and one software bundle. Samples are immediately available. Contact the company for volume pricing.