Vitesse Introduces Next Generation Network Processors and Strategic NPU Roadmap; Next Generation OC-48 & 10Gb/s NPUs Target Emerging High-Service Edge Applications.

Business Editors

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2001

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:VTSS) today unveiled its comprehensive line of network processors and software, including two new processor programs for high-service OC-48 and 10Gb/s applications, as well as three new models of its IQ2000 Network Processor Unit (NPU) -- all supported by an extensive array of next generation software applications and development tools.

The introduction of additional capabilities for the IQ2000 include increased memory capacity and lower cost. Also unveiled are Vitesse's follow-on products, the IQ2200 with increased processing capabilities at half the power consumption, and the NPU Roadmap, including two new processor programs for high-services OC-48 and 10Gb/s applications.

The Vitesse network processor family complements the company's extensive portfolio of intelligent switching fabrics, traffic management engines, physical layer devices, and optical components. Vitesse's solutions provide networking OEMs the industry's most robust line of systems-oriented products for creating high-performance communication devices, such as core routers/switches, edge aggregation routers, session/service management systems, multi-service provisioning platforms, wireless base stations, and broadband access concentrators.

Second Generation High Service NPU -- The IQ2200 Family

Leveraging the architecture of the IQ2000, the company today announced plans for its second generation NPU, the IQ2200, which, as compared to the IQ2000, delivers twice the instructions per packet processing capability at a given line rate while reducing power consumption by half.

The IQ2200 extends the success of the IQ2000 family and maintains functional pin compatibility to leverage existing OEM system designs. By maintaining software forward-compatibility, the IQ2200 will enable OEMs to quickly introduce new generations of high-performance, complex-service products.

The IQ2200 is a single chip device capable of performing complex upper layer services such as HTTP load balancing, content delivery networking, IP SEC VPNs, and DiffServ, while maintaining a 2Gb/s line rate. The IQ2200 family also adds an industry-standard CSIX interface for seamless connectivity to switch fabrics, notably the widely adopted Vitesse GigaStream(TM) intelligent switch fabric family.

"The IQ2000 hardware and software platform has proven to be successful in high-service edge applications," stated Steve Flannery, general manager of the Vitesse Network Processor Division. "Our customers have embraced the IQ2000 technology and we are very pleased that our roadmap continues to address their needs as demands for performance and service requirements grow."

The IQ2200 will be sampling early next year with pricing and general availability announced this fall.

IQ2000 Network Processor Penetrates Key Markets

As Vitesse's flagship network processor, the IQ2000(TM) enjoys strong success in network-edge applications, where high levels of service are required. With over 50 design wins across Tier 1 through startup networking OEMs, the IQ2000 forms the foundation of Vitesse's NPU portfolio. New to the IQ2000 family is a line of devices that offer increased instruction capability for intensive high-service applications. The new 64Kbyte memory option announced today extends the existing IQ2000 family, giving customers more choices to suit changing application requirements. Supported by a suite of comprehensive development tools, the Vitesse network processor line maintains forward software compatibility to leverage customers' data-path processing investment. New and existing IQ2000 models are shipping in volume today with prices starting at $215.

Roadmap for High Service 10Gb/s NPUs -- The IQ10G Family

Recognizing that 10Gb/s performance is a mandatory requirement in many next generation metro, core, and data-center applications, the Company announced its roadmap which includes a network processor capable of meeting the complex service demands that OEMs must address in their next generation high-performance platforms. Graphical representation of Vitesse's NPU roadmap is located at http://www.vitesse.com/npuroadmap/.

In mid-2002, Vitesse will introduce its single-chip, software-programmable, 10-Gigabit network processor family, the IQ10G(TM). The foundation of the Vitesse IQ10G is a highly parallel, multi-processor architecture optimized for complex network service delivery. This device is targeted at applications requiring 10GbE or OC-192 performance, as well as those requiring high-density Gigabit Ethernet or multiple OC-48 configurations. The programming model employed by the IQ10G family is exactly the same as with the IQ2000/2200, in that it makes the underlying parallel architecture transparent to the programmer, while simultaneously providing high processor utilization via its load balanced structure. By utilizing industry standard interfaces, such as SPI and CSIX, the IQ10G will reduce customer board cost and design complexity. The IQ10G family will enable network equipment vendors to develop complex IP platforms that are not only field-upgradeable and future proof, but also delivered at a price-point required by next generation applications.

"Network processors optimized for high-speed line rate processing, as well as for extended IP services, are critical options for today's developers of next-generation networking systems," said Tracey Vanik, technical director at RHK, Inc. "Ten gigabit processing speeds are increasingly important in not only core equipment, but also in supporting large and aggregate flows in metropolitan areas."

Next Generation Software and Tools Announced

Vitesse supports the IQ2000, IQ2200, and IQ10G families with a robust software development environment based on the GNU open-source tool chain. In addition to firmware engineering tools, the Vitesse Developers Workbench includes an extensible, cycle-accurate simulation framework, a graphical debugger, resource auditor, traffic generator, and a combined hardware and software example of a 2GbE x 16 10/100 routing switch.

Development efforts are accelerated through a comprehensive set of APIs, low-level MACRO functions/library routines, and example fast-path software for common networking tasks. The Vitesse C/C++ Compiler for the IQ family will be available in the fall of 2001.

Architected for both performance and service headroom for future

application needs

The Vitesse NPU family is based on an optimized architecture of high-performance multi-threaded RISC processors and hardware acceleration engines designed for networking functions. The software development model is made simple by enabling the developer to program in a traditional uni-processor construct, while the hardware manages packet-handling tasks in the embedded processor complex. This unique approach gives developers performance and scalability, while enabling rapid software engineering in an easy to manage environment.

The Vitesse network processor product line and roadmap center on enabling effective customer application of network processing technology. The IQ NPU family architecture provides wire rate performance and hardware assistance for many common networking functions such as packet classification, order management, complex look-ups, and sophisticated class of service based traffic management functions. Traffic Management features include:

-- Queueing and output scheduling (round robin, weighted round robin or
advanced weighted fair queueing)

-- Policing of up to 500K flows

-- Traffic shaping using token buckets

-- Congestion Management (RED, Weighted RED)

-- Provisioning

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation is a leading designer and supplier of innovative, high-performance integrated circuits (ICs) and optical modules used in next generation networking and optical communications equipment. The Company's products address the needs of Enterprise, Access, Metro, Core, and Optical Transport network equipment manufacturers who demand a robust combination of high-speed, high-service delivery and low-power dissipation in their products. In concert with its broad communications product portfolio, Vitesse also develops ICs for storage area networking and enclosure management. Vitesse is headquartered in Camarillo, Calif., and operates two fabrication facilities; one in Camarillo and one in Colorado Springs, Colo. Company and product information can be found on the Web at www.vitesse.com or is available by calling 800/VITESSE.