PMC-Sierra Introduces the EXACT Bus Chip Set Architecture to Enable Scalable, Low Cost Layer 2 and Layer 3 Gigabit Ethernet Switching Solutions.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1997--

Versatile 32 Gigabit Per Second EXACT Bus Architecture Allows

High Density 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet Stackable and Modular

Switches for Desktop, Workgroup and Backbone Connections

PMC-Sierra today unveiled the architecture for the ELAN-EXACT Gigabit Ethernet switching chip set.

The chip set architecture provides a unique combination of low cost, flexibility and scalability that facilitates stackable and modular switch applications over a wide range of bit rates, port counts or port configurations. The chip set uses PMC-Sierra's SmartPath(TM) Network Signal Processor core and the EXACT Bus insertion ring to provide intelligent Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching at gigabit rates. Up to 32 gigabits per second aggregate bandwidth is supported using intelligent port controllers and simple switch matrix controllers.

The ELAN-EXACT architecture provides low-latency store and forward switching based on 10/100 or gigabit intelligent port controller chips and EXACT Bus interfaces operating at full duplex rates of 1 gigabit per second. Simple switching matrix controllers may be added for bandwidth expansion up to 32 gigabits per second, supporting up to 16 ports of full-duplex Gigabit Ethernet. Each port controller chip uses PMC-Sierra's embedded SmartPath processor to examine every incoming Ethernet packet for Layer 2 and Layer 3 header information. This allows real-time processing such as intelligent filtering and forwarding decisions, priority queuing, statistics updates and port or host VLAN membership. Background tasks are supported that provide address learning, SNMP and RMON agent processing and miscellaneous control and management functions without incurring additional hardware costs.

"The ELAN-EXACT architecture provides scalability in port speed and port count while maintaining the flexibility for use in both stackable and modular applications," said Vernon Little, director of marketing for the Ethernet products division. "Unlike traditional architectures, the EXACT Bus provides simple interconnection that facilitates mixing and matching of port types, serial bus extension, efficient backplane design and allows for switch redundancy."

Both stackable and modular switch applications can take advantage of the programmability of the SmartPath processor to support proprietary value-add functions, to provide feature migration as standards change, to simplify field upgrades or to enhance field service. For example, in many applications, the processor can run SNMP or RMON on-chip without the need for an external MPU. Even in Gigabit applications, the SmartPath processor can support wire-speed Layer 2 VLAN switching with approximately 30% of the real time processing capacity available for other features. In addition to on-chip filtering, forwarding, queuing decisions and spanning-tree processing, the processor allows flexibility in added customized VLAN or Layer 3 processing, Tag Switching, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) or specialized management services.

The chipset also supports an external microprocessor so that system integrators may preserve their existing investment in software or further differentiate their products. In this case, the embedded SmartPath processor may be configured to offload critical real-time tasks and can provide external MPU access to protocol information and packet data for further processing.

PMC-Sierra is a leading provider of high speed internetworking component solutions emphasizing ATM, SONET/SDH, T1/E1 and Ethernet applications. The company's quality system is registered with the Quality Management Institute to the ISO 9001 standard. As co-founder of the SATURN Development Group, PMC-Sierra works with over 40 other member companies to define and develop interoperable, standard-compliant solutions for high speed networking applications.

Headquartered near Vancouver, PMC-Sierra also offers local technical and sales support in California, North Carolina, Ontario, Massachusetts, Texas, Europe and Asia. In Beaverton, Oregon, the company has established an Ethernet products division focused on developing leading edge Ethernet semiconductor solutions. PMC-Sierra is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.pmc-sierra.com .

CONTACT: PMC-Sierra

Susan Shaw, 604/415-6031

[e-mail]

or

Strategic Press Relations

Dan Garza, 408/733-4669

or

Publicity Management

Leslie Franks, +44/1488-683936