Advantech, 6Wind Showcase Multicore Network Processor at CTIA 2011
By Jaclyn Allard, TMCnet Web Editor
6WIND, a provider of software for communication systems design for defense and electronics networking, recently expanded its 6WINDGate packet processing software so that it can be deployed to a broader range of Advantech (News - Alert) systems.
Advantech, a manufacturer of telecom computing blades and multicore network processor platforms, explained that its FWA Network Application Platform range based on multicore x86 network processors will be the new solutions to be supported by 6WINDGate software. The company’s multicore MIPS-based Packetarium platforms are already supported.
Advantech’s Paul Stevens and 6Winds’ Charlie Ashton, recently explained the multicore advantage in a collaborative piece, “Multicore Plus Optimized Packet Processing Software”, saying, “The first key step in optimizing overall system performance while remaining conscious of platform power consumption is in the choice of processing hardware. Traditional processors gained performance improvements through the continual up-rating of the clock frequency.
“The laws of physics became a major challenge as power consumption increased in proportion to the square of the clock frequency,” they continued. “For use in high performance networking systems, the ever-increasing power draw and associated heatsink and cooling requirements became impractical. Developers of high-end processors have since migrated to multicore architectures in order to meet the need for increased performance while maintaining manageable levels of power consumption.”
Basically, a multi-core network processor is defined as an integrated circuit (IC) to which two or more processors have been attached for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption, and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks. This unique architecture has been widely adopted by major system developers seeking higher performance capabilities and lower power consumption.
Illustrating this multicore advantage further, Advantech will showcase AdvancedTCA (News - Alert), AMC, and Packetarium-based products using 6WIND’s 6WINDGate packet processing software at this week’s International CTIA Wireless 2011 show in Orlando, Fla. The highly scalable, multicore platforms can be optimized for applications including eNodeBs, gateways for secure access and Mobility Management (MME), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateways and other Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functions.
One of the main exhibits will be a 40G 6-slot ATCA system integrating the Advantech MIC-5322 with two 6-core x86 network processors, the ATCA-7410 with Dual NetLogic (News - Alert) Microsystems XLP832 8-core MIPS64 processors providing 40 GbE(KR4) and four 10 GbE(KR) ports to the Fabric Interface. The 40GbE switch technology integrated into the system is from Telco Systems (News - Alert), part of the recently announced technology agreement with Advantech.
“The range of Advantech products on display with 6WIND platform capabilities, are representative of the range of optimized network solutions available to OEMs,” continued Stevens. “Over time, the systems can be easily expanded or upgraded with newer technology, all-the-while preserving the OEM’s software investment and thereby lowering CAPEX and OPEX (News - Alert) for the network equipment makers.” Advantech and 6WIND are demonstrating this broad range of multicore blade and platform solutions in Booth 2159 at the CTIA Wireless 2011 conference.
Jaclyn Allard is a TMCnet Web Editor. She most recently worked on the production team at Juran Institute, a quality consulting firm producing its own training and marketing materials. Previously, she interned at Curbstone Press, a nonprofit publishing press in Willimantic, CT, and fulfilled the role of Editor-in-Chief for the literature and arts journal published by the University of Connecticut. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
