PLX Technology Smooths Migration to PCI Express With New, High-Performance 16-Lane Switching Device; PEX 8517 Switch Builds on Success of ExpressLane Family; Flexible PCI Express Switching Architecture Improves Throughput, Lowers Cost.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- PLX Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLXT), the leading supplier of PCI Express(TM) (PCIe) and other standard input/output (I/O) interconnect silicon, today announced the PLX(R) PEX 8517, a PCIe switch that further enhances the usability of PCIe technology in networking, storage and graphics applications. The newest member of PLX's ExpressLane(TM) line of PCIe switching and bridging devices providing designers with a migration path to high-performance PCIe, the PEX 8517 features five ports, 16 lanes and a streamlined second-generation switching architecture. The switch brings lower latency (150ns), improved throughput, reduced per-port and per-lane costs, and lower power (less than 3W) to a broad range of designs.

New PCI-based designs and those migrating from first-generation PLX PCIe switches can take advantage of PLX'S new packet-cut-through switching architecture in port-aggregation and peer-to-peer applications. The device's five flexible ports allow it to be configured in a variety of ways suitable to enable a range of designs. This new architecture also delivers many of the key features from PLX's first-generation architecture: quality of service through two virtual channels (VCs); dual-host support through a flexible non-transparent port; field upgradeability through a standard Hot Plug controller; and source-to-destination data integrity through end-to-end-cyclic-redundancy (ECRC). Furthermore, in addition to the basic error reporting, the PEX 8517 supports advanced error reporting, thus easing system development, debug and optimization.

PLX Expanding PCI Express Horizon for Board, System Makers

The switch's two VCs allow optimal use of each port's bandwidth and improve performance in systems by enabling a particular traffic class to receive priority in available bandwidth. The PEX 8517's non-transparent bridging (NTB) function enables processor-domain isolation, which is required in multi-host, fail-over, intelligent I/O, and load-sharing applications. Combined with its NTB, Hot Plug capabilities, internal memory error corrections and end-to-end packet error detection make the PEX 8517 suitable for high-availability applications.

Targeted applications for the PEX 8517 include:

--Server and storage systems utilizing the switch's fan-out capability

--PCIe port fan-out with PowerPC/MIPS processors

--Communications system, such as networking and advanced mezzanine cards, and host-bus adapters (Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial Attached Storage)

--Embedded systems, such as factory automation, test equipment, image processing, and medical instrumentation

Passed Compliance Testing, Added to PCI-SIG Integrators List

The PEX 8517 already has passed compliance testing in the PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG(R)) workshop program, and is now on the PCI-SIG's Integrators List. This list includes all products that have successfully completed testing in the PCI-SIG's Compliance Workshop, which provides an environment for PCI-SIG members to test and validate their products before they reach market.

Development Tools Speed PEX 8517 Designs

The PEX 8517, as are most PLX interconnect devices, is supported by the PLX Rapid Development Kit (RDK) line of tools that speed board and system designs. The PEX 8517RDK kit includes a working hardware platform incorporating the PEX 8517 switch, along with a complete set of board schematics, symbols, and layout files for hardware design. The RDK, which also can be utilized as an evaluation vehicle for the PEX 8517, also features PLX's extensive Software Development Kit with a GUI utility for access to chip registers, sample drivers and a support library for Microsoft(R) (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows(R) and Linux operating systems.

Availability, Pricing

The PEX 8517 comes in a 27x27 PBGA package and is now sampling, with production expected in Q3. Available in both standard and lead-free packages, the device is priced at under $30 in volume quantities. The PEX 8517RDK is available now and is priced at $900.

About PLX Technology

PLX Technology, Inc. (www.plxtech.com), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., USA, is the leading supplier of PCI Express and other standard I/O interconnect silicon to the communications, server, storage, embedded-control, and consumer industries. All PLX I/O interconnect products are available in standard and lead-free packaging. The PLX solution provides a competitive edge to our customers through an integrated combination of high-performance silicon, hardware and software design tools, and complementary development tools through partnerships with other vendors. These innovative solutions enable our customers to develop equipment with industry-leading performance, scalability and reliability.

ExpressLane, PLX and the PLX Technology logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.