PMC-Sierra Introduces Security-Enabled Multi-Service One GHz MIPS Processor.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS):

--PMC-Sierra's MSP8520 System-on-Chip Integrates Standards-Based Hardware Security to Accelerate Internet Protocol Security and Secure Socket Layer Processing for Security Appliances, Networking, IP Storage and Laser Printers/MFPs

PMC-Sierra, Inc. (Nasdaq:PMCS) today announced its first System-on-Chip (SoC) solution featuring standards-based integrated hardware security. The MSP8520(TM) Multi-Service Processor(R), which incorporates a high-performance scalable 600 MHz to one GHz E9000 MIPS-based(TM) processor with integrated security in hardware, is targeted at Small Medium Business (SMB) Network Attached Storage (NAS) storage, mid-range VPN routers and security appliances, printer/imaging systems, and mid-range routers and switches.

"Security processing is a requirement in VPN and firewall appliances and is increasingly becoming prevalent in emerging printer/imaging applications, enterprise networking and IP storage," said Martin Scott, vice president and general manager for PMC-Sierra's Microprocessor Products Division. "The integration of SafeNet's unique SafeXcel IP Packet Engine in our high-performance MSP8520 is the optimal way of meeting our customers' ever-increasing security requirements."

Highly Integrated and Scalable

The MSP8520 is a highly integrated SoC featuring a high-performance E9000 MIPS-based processor, which can scale from 600 MHz to one GHz operating frequencies and has a fully integrated at-speed 256KB low-latency level two cache. This enables the MSP8520 to leverage the comprehensive offering of optimized compilers, operating systems and third-party debug tool support currently available in PMC-Sierra RM7965, RM7935 and RM7900 MIPS-based products.

The MSP8520 SoC also supports cryptographic acceleration for security algorithms and protocols such as Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP). This results in IPSec and SSL performance of over 500Mbps. It involves minimum CPU utilization in security packet processing, thus freeing up essential CPU cycles for customer applications. This implementation, when combined with the powerful and silicon-proven E9000 CPU, enables high-performance applications at a low system Bill-of-Materials costs and low power dissipation.

The MSP8520 supports an extensive set of high-throughput peripherals, such as a 200 MHz 64-bit DDRI or DDRII SDRAM controller, two Gigabit Ethernet MACs, as well as dual PCI interfaces. It also supports a four-channel DMA controller, a Local Bus controller for glueless support of Flash, Compact Flash, PCMCIA and external USB devices, dual asynchronous receiver/transmitter (DUART), 32KB of scratch memory and 64 GPIO pins.

"We are pleased to partner with PMC-Sierra in supporting its scalable MIPS-based processor family with SafeNet's silicon-proven security engines," said Henk Pruim, vice president and general manager for SafeNet's Networking Business Unit. "By using SafeNet's QuickSec security software, OEMs can easily leverage the security engine in the MSP8520 to build integrated networking gear, while reducing cost and time to market."

Pricing, Availability, and Customer Support

Samples of the MSP8520 device are available now with full production release this quarter. For more information about the device, including comprehensive datasheets and evaluation boards, visit www.pmc-sierra.com/processors and www.pmc-sierra.com/printers. For documentation and pricing, contact a PMC-Sierra sales representative at http://www.pmc-sierra.com/contactSales.

About PMC-Sierra's MSP Family of SoCs

PMC-Sierra's MIPS-based SoC architecture is designed to be software compatible with our "RM" family of SysAD-based standalone microprocessors, giving customers an avenue to increase integration and lower costs as systems enter high volume production. PMC-Sierra's RM5200, RM7000 and RM7900 family of 64-bit MIPS-based processors provide the highest levels of processing power with low power dissipation, and are designed for color laser printers, networking, storage, industrial control and high-end consumer applications. For more information about the MSP8520, including comprehensive datasheets and evaluation boards, visit www.pmc-sierra.com/processors and www.pmc-sierra.com/printers.

About PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra(TM) is a leading provider of broadband communications and storage semiconductors for metro, access, fiber to the home, wireless infrastructure, storage, laser printers and customer premises equipment. PMC-Sierra offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe, Israel and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com.

Resources to Extend your Product Knowledge and Understanding

PMC-Sierra New Products:

www.pmc-sierra.com/products/newProducts.html

PMC-Sierra Networking Webinars: www.pmc-sierra.com/webinars

PMC-Sierra White Papers: www.pmc-sierra.com/whitepaper

(C) Copyright PMC-Sierra, Inc. 2006. All rights reserved. PMC is a registered trademark of PMC-Sierra, Inc. in the United States and other countries. PMC-SIERRA, PMCS and "Thinking You can Build On" are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.