[June 14, 2001]

Performance Technologies Intros Layer 3 Embedded Ethernet Switches Compatible With PICMG 2.16 Architecture

Performance Technologies, Inc. announced two new products in its award-winning line of embedded Ethernet switches -- the CPC4401 and CPC4406. These additions make the company's IPnexus family an even more comprehensive product line compatible with the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) 2.16 specification for CompactPCI packet switching backplanes.

The PICMG 2.16 architecture -- a technology originated by Performance Technologies -- moves data traffic from a shared CompactPCI bus to an embedded Ethernet network, enabling greater throughput rates and higher reliability.

Performance Technologies' IPnexus family consists of carrier-grade network access and switching products that operate in 2.16 chassis or conventional PCI-based systems, allowing a smooth transition to this new embedded systems architecture. Highlighting the family is the enhanced CPC4400 line of CompactPCI/PSB Ethernet switches, which now includes fully managed Layer 3 Ethernet switches complying with the 2.16 fabric slot specification.

"Standardizing 2.16 launches a new era in the design of high reliability systems," said John Peters, vice president of hardware engineering at Performance Technologies and chairman of the PICMG 2.16 subcommittee. "Broadening the IPnexus family with products compliant with 2.16 strengthens our position as the leading developer of Ethernet switching products for next-generation, packet-based systems."

Ethernet in embedded, packet-based telecommunications applications requires maximum bandwidth, redundancy and reliability -- all conditions established by the 2.16 architecture. The combination of IPnexus' Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol, link aggregation capabilities and the Rapid Spanning Tree Convergence extensions creates the most reliable, high availability embedded switches on the market.

Target telecom equipment applications for IPnexus include all IP switching tasks associated with today's 2.5G and 3G wireless infrastructure equipment, server clustering nodes, media gateways, signaling gateways, integrated access devices, optical switches, DSL concentrators or any next-generation network element requiring prioritized handling of Ethernet traffic.

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