Ethernet Aggregator IC Guarantees Critical Data

The Barcelona is an Ethernet aggregator IC designed for enterprise switch and router vendors. It uses advanced classification, deep buffers, and flexible scheduling to enable increased port counts on switches without compromising on service quality. All the device’s 24 multirate Ethernet ports support strict service guarantees, which have become increasingly critical in enterprise networks as voice over IP (VoIP) and other new services are deployed. Even in a congested network, the device can identify and prioritize critical flows and mark them as high priority with guaranteed bandwidth while storing bulk traffic to prevent packet loss. With its support for new policing and shaping policies coupled with IPv6 and MPLS functionality, the chip is useful in metro applications where strict service level agreements must be enforced. The device connects directly to GbE optical modules or serially to copper PHYs and interfaces with existing packet processors through an industry standard SPI port. The device is implemented in 0.13 micron CMOS. CORTINA SYSTEMS, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 481-2302.