Communications: Network Storage Processors Cut System Complexity And Cost

May 26, 2005

The IT3107 and IT3102 system-on-a-chip network storage processors are taking aim to power the industry's next generation of network attached storage (NAS) and media server appliances. Integrating Gigabit Ethernet, multiple serial ATA (SATA) hard-disk interfaces, and hardware-based RAID 0/1/5 redundancy into a single chip can prepare network storage devices for broader markets. The IT3107 has a four-channel SATA interface, and the IT3102 has a two-channel SATA interface. The integrated Gigabit Ethernet MAC supports jumbo packets for more efficient data transfers, and an on-chip PCI host controller provides expansion flexibility. Both chips also include a 64-bit double-data-rate SDRAM Interface, an encryption/decryption engine, diskless boot using NAND flash, and other features. In 1000-unit lots, the IT3107 and 3102 sell for $120 and $80 apiece, respectively. Reference boards, NAS software, and a customizable Linux operating system are also available.

Infrant Technologieswww.infrant.com

About the Author

Dave Bursky

Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.