Chrysalis-ITS Announces Reference Platform for E-Commerce: Chrysalis-ITS and PMC-Sierra Collaborate to Turn Security into a Routing Decision.

Business Editors

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2001

Chrysalis Semiconductor, a division of Chrysalis-ITS(R), today announced plans to work with PMC-Sierra (NASDAQ: PMCS) on a reference platform for e-commerce.

The companies will architect solutions to remove the roadblocks to wire-rate security processing using next generation security processors from Chrysalis Semiconductor and PMC-Sierra's RM7000A(TM) MIPS-compatible processors. The system-level solutions resulting from this collaboration will dramatically increase the performance and scalability of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) processing and facilitate the task of architecting security into next generation service switches. SSL is the leading protocol used to secure transactions on the Internet.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Each computer connection to a website uses the Internet protocols TCP and IP to carry commands and information across the Internet to a web server. Upon entering a "secure" site, a new secure connection is established with the web server to allow information to be carried across the Internet, free from inquisitive eyes. This secure connection uses the SSL protocol to provide the security and data confidentiality lacking in standard Internet protocols. It is this additional protocol, SSL, which puts such an incredible load on the web server.

Chrysalis Semiconductor advances in silicon-based cryptographic and protocol acceleration technologies are allowing wire-rate SSL solutions to become a reality. Chrysalis-ITS' security processors off-load SSL processing without imposing delays on other traffic in the same data path. This requires tight system integration and a detailed understanding of the SSL protocol.

Web switches are currently providing unencrypted performance up to and exceeding 100,000 (TCP/HTTP) transactions per second. To support the growing demands of e-commerce sites, these switches must be enabled to allow all of these connections to be encrypted with SSL. Web servers that currently slow to a crawl when SSL traffic is encountered must be accelerated back to unencrypted speeds. Next generation switching equipment architectures will require a tight integration between packet processing and security processing. The Chrysalis-ITS and PMC-Sierra collaboration and reference design will enable wire-rate SSL processing by providing integrated technology and speed time to market for network equipment manufacturers.

"The Chrysalis-ITS and PMC-Sierra reference design is a well-timed offering. Security processing must be integrated with network processing to address time-to-market challenges faced by system OEMs," said John Metz, Vice President Networking, Sterling Research. "Chrysalis Semiconductor has an excellent security processing solution and is right on track with their work with PMC-Sierra. This reference design will give system OEMs a competitive advantage, by removing security bottlenecks with comprehensive security and network processor solution."

Chrysalis Semiconductor's high-speed SSL Session Negotiation accelerators, the Luna(R) 500 IC series, establish a new benchmark for SSL performance with up to 40,000 SSL Session Set Ups per second thereby effectively removing cryptography as the system bottleneck in web servers and switches. The Luna 510 delivers performance, protocol support, function integration and low-power consumption to system architects of next generation, security service equipment.

"The Chrysalis Semiconductor group has developed state-of-the-art IC and software technology for this application," said Andy Keane, vice president of marketing at PMC-Sierra's MIPS Processor Division. "Together we can bring customers a complete security solution and ease existing customer migration to this new secure high speed platform."

Chrysalis Semiconductor and PMC-Sierra will jointly develop reference boards for customers in the access edge, network equipment market. In addition to tightly coupling the Luna 510 and RM7000A, Chrysalis Semiconductor will work with PMC-Sierra in the implementation of host and embedded software using PMC-Sierra's RM7000A MIPS processor. The software, running under the VxWorks operating system, is designed to be portable to next generation PMC-Sierra MIPS processors and next generation high-speed interfaces. PMC-Sierra and Chrysalis Semiconductor will jointly market the reference design and boards will be available through Chrysalis Semiconductor in the fourth quarter of 2001.

"Architecting an SSL solution requires tight integration between the CPU and security IC. With wide acceptance and deployment of PMC-Sierra's RM7000A in the networking industry and their demonstrated ease of integration and performance leadership, our reference design becomes an excellent roadmap for developers of next generation switching systems," said Mark Taber, vice president of sales and marketing, Chrysalis Semiconductor.

About Chrysalis Semiconductor, a Division of Chrysalis-ITS Inc.

The Semiconductor Division of Chrysalis-ITS provides network infrastructure OEMs with IC-based solutions, which allow them to offer security services to their end customers. These solutions are designed to be trusted, easy to integrate, and to process security protocols without impeding system throughput. The solutions consist of ICs, software, and circuit boards. With a "Security Engine" from Chrysalis-ITS, security becomes a routing decision for the system OEM, eliminating the need for network equipment vendors to keep up with the ever changing and complex array of security protocols, algorithms, and standards.

Founded in 1994, Chrysalis-ITS is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with offices in London, UK; Boston MA, and Mountain View, CA. The company website is www.chrysalis-its.com.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra is accelerating the broadband revolution. PMC-Sierra's extensive family of broadband communication semiconductors enables the equipment that makes up the backbone of the Internet. PMC-Sierra offers worldwide technical and sales support including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. PMC-Sierra is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "PMCS." The company is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX), which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nasdaq-100 Index is the benchmark for the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (Amex:QQQ). For more information about PMC-Sierra, visit www.pmc-sierra.com.

Chrysalis-ITS, Chrysalis-ITS logo, Luna, and Ultimate Trust are trademarks or registered trademarks of Chrysalis-ITS Inc. All others mentioned herein are property of their respective owners.

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2001. All rights reserved. RM7000A(TM) and PMC-Sierra(TM) are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc.