Intel IXP2350 network processor

Intel IXP2350 network processor

The Intel IXP2350 network processor extends Intel's fully programmable architecture to new, lower cost/performance points for access and edge applications, including broadband access devices, wireless infrastructure systems, routers and multi-service switches.

To meet today's and tomorrow's demanding data plane performance requirements, the IXP2350 network processor provides a powerful, integrated control plane processor in the same chip. The high-speed core (up to 1.2 GHz) incorporates advanced I/O and memory features, enabling customers to eliminate an external control plane processor in many applications. Additional hardware-assisted features in the IXP2350 network processor increase performance and simplify development.

Features and Benefits

Four integrated programmable micro engines (MEv2) with 8K instruction program stores running up to 900 MHz:

Ø Flexible multi-threaded RISC processors can be programmed to deliver intelligent transmit and receive processing, with robust software development environment for rapid product development.

Integrated Intel XScale core:

32 Kbytes - Instruction cache

32 Kbytes - Data cache

Up to 1,200 MHz

Ø Embedded 32-bit RISC core for high performance processing of complex algorithms, route table maintenance and system-level management functions. Lowers system cost by eliminating

Integrated 512 Kbytes L2 push cache performance

Ø Improves CPU performance and MEv2 to Intel XScale core and PCI to Intel XScale core communication

Two unidirectional 32-bit media interfaces (Rx and Tx) programmable as SPI-3 or UTOPIA

Ø Supports industry standard cell and packet interfaces to media and fabric devices; simplifies design and interface to custom ASIC devices

Each path configurable for 4x8-bit, 2x16-bit, 1x32-bit or combinations of 8 & 16-bit data paths

Ø Supports up to 127 ports using a 16-bit UTOPIA-2 MPHY mode

Two integrated Gigabit Ethernet MACs

Ø Lowers system cost, power and board real estate

Two integrated 10/100 Ethernet MACs

Ø Can be used as debugging ports or control signal ports. Lowers system cost, power and board real estate.

Integrated high speed serial controller:

256 HDLC channel controller
(64 channels when configured with dynamic time slot remap)

ATM-TC

Up to 16xT1/E1/J1 TDM links

Ø Performs inverse multiplexing over ATM (IMA), which provides lower system cost, power and board real estate

Integrated cryptography accelerator

Ø Provides up to 200 Mbps bulk encryption (DES/SHA-1) capability. Supports AES, DES and 3DES encryption algorithms as well as SHA-1 and MD5 hashing algorithms.

Two industry standard DDR DRAM interfaces

One 64-bit + ECC DDR300 low latency channel (up to 2GB) optimized for micro engine use (not available on 300 MHz ME configurations)

One 32-bit + ECC DDR300 low latency channel (up to 1GB) optimized for the Intel XScale core

Ø Memory subsystem supports the network processor store-and-forward processing model. Separate memory channels for Intel XScale core and micro engines improves data plane and control

Plane performance.

I/O coherency for Intel XScale core DRAM

Ø Improves performance through accelerated control plane/data plane communications

One industry standard QDR SRAM interface (not available on 300 MHz ME configurations)

Ø Provides industry standard interface for memory subsystem for look-up tables and access lists, or co-processors (such as CAM/TCAM)

Asynchronous control interface supports 8 or 16-bit slow port devices via 16-bit expansion bus

Ø Provides control interface for connecting to microprocessor port of PHY devices and flash memory. Provides a direct connection to DSP via HPI.

Hardware support for memory access queuing

Ø Simplifies application development and reduces system cost

Hardware support for memory access queuing

Ø Simplifies application development and reduces system cost

JTAG support

Ø Improves hardware debug ability

Intel® IXA Software Development Kit (SDK) Intel Hardware Development Platform

Ø Industry standard AdvancedTCA form factor hardware reference design and state of the art development tools improves time to market via robust hardware and software development tools

1752 ball FCBGA 42.5 mm x 42.5 mm package
Ø Minimizes board layers, providing easier board layer routing and lower cost.

Intel - Core 2 Extreme QX9770 review

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Late last year we reviewed the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650. This was the first 45nm Penryn processor to slip out of Intel's laboratory and, while it was impressive, it had very similar performance to the previous Core 2 Extreme QX6850. That's no great surprise as both processors run at 3.0GHz on a 1,333MHz front side bus with 12MB of L2 cache.

The benefit of Penryn is a reduction in die size which leads to lower costs for Intel and, hopefully, greater power efficiency. It would be nice to think that Intel might pass on some of the savings in a price cut to the customer, but that's none too likely until it feels some pressure from AMD, which is unlikely to be any time soon judging by Phenom.

At least that's what you might think.

Intel has its plans in place and is progressing nicely, with the Core 2 front side bus going up from 1,066MHz to 1,333MHz while the fabrication process drops from 65nm to 45nm. That ought to be enough to keep everyone happy for the next few months, but hard on the heels of the QX9650 we have the QX9770.

This latest Core 2 Extreme processor runs on a new 1,600MHz front side which is actually a quad-pumped 400MHz bus, so the 8x clock multiplier results in a speed of 3.2GHz which is 200MHz faster than either the QX6850 or QX9650. Intel has raised the TDP from 130W for the QX9650 to 136W for the QX9770 but that's the extent of the changes.

The extraordinary point is that Intel doesn't have a chipset with official support for this new front side bus. Both the P35 and X38 chipsets can be used to add unofficial support for the new clock speed, and many Taiwanese motherboards do exactly that, but it won't be official until Intel launches the X48 in a few weeks' time.

Although Asus, Gigabyte, MSI and the others can add unofficial support to Intel products, it would be a bit rum if Intel were to do the same thing. Right now the only company that cannot build a motherboard that supports the QX9770 is Intel, as its DX38BT motherboard tops out at a 1,333MHz front side bus with support for 1,333MHz DDR3 memory.

That will change with the X48 chipset but it makes you wonder what Intel is playing at. Or rather, it makes you wonder what spooked Intel into sending out samples of the QX9770 for review. The likeliest answer is that Intel wants to maintain the pressure on AMD and, while it has undeniably succeeded, it also suggests that Intel was worried about the AMD Phenom processor.

So will you buy a QX9770? Not a chance, not at that price. Will you buy a Penryn with a 1,600MHz front side bus? That's a tricky question. Historically Intel has used its Extreme Edition products to give you a flavour of what's coming in the near future with the added benefit of an unlocked multiplier to make life easier for overclockers.