Innovative network processor technology debuts for networking environment

IP News INNOVATIVE NETWORK PROCESSOR TECHNOLOGY DEBUTS FOR NETWORKING ENVIRONMENT

EZchip Technologies promises intelligent 10 Gigabit packet processing; Affirmed by first round financing

Migdal Haemek, Israel, February 16, 2000 - EZchip Technologies, a fabless semiconductor startup company, today announced the core technology of its network processors, enabling 10-Gigabit, 7-layer, wire speed packet processing. Called Task Optimized Processing Core, or TOPcore®, the technology will enable EZchip to produce network-specific processors for next generation 10-Gigabit switches and routers. EZchip also announced today that it has secured a $5.3 million first round of venture financing.

"Network processors signal a revolution in the design of communications equipment. The first wave of network processors featured the integration of general-purpose RISC (reduced instruction set computing) processors suitable for 100/1000 Mbps networks," said Eli Fruchter, president and CEO of EZchip. "EZchip is ushering in the next wave of network processors designed and optimized to deliver the packet processing performance required for 10 Gigabit networks. With ever increasing demands for speed and QoS, existing architectures will not be able to meet the demands of next-generation networking products. TOPcore technology offers the combination of speed and intelligence required for 7-layer packet processing."

The new TOPcore technology will be employed by EZchip in its network processors, enabling networking vendors to build next-generation switches that perform 7-layer packet processing at 10-Gigabit wire speed. EZchip's products offer vendors unprecedented scalability for designing products with a few to hundreds of ports and a high integration to reduce the overall system components.

TOPcore Technology
EZchip's breakthrough technology consists of an array of many small, fast processors; each tailored to perform a specific packet-processing task. This architecture delivers improved performance through the implementation of customized instruction sets and optimization of the data path. For increased speed and performance, the processors are connected in parallel and pipeline.

Operation of the processor array is controlled by a set of software commands, downloaded from the switch host processor. New applications and change in network policy, e.g. user access, application priority, URL switching criteria, is deployed simply by downloading updated microcode to the chip. This offers the flexibility to adjust to new intranet and Internet applications through simple changes in software without changes to system hardware.

"This new architecture far surpasses that of multiple embedded RISC processors architecture employed by many network-processor vendors," said Fruchter. "What makes it different is the speed it gains from customization of the individual packet processing tasks. TOPcore technology promises to be ten-fold faster than network processors based on a RISC architecture. By harnessing the strength and flexibility of EZchip's technology, networking vendors can build scalable, flexible, intelligent products that perform 7-layer packet processing at 10 Gigabit wire speed and beyond."

Secures First Round Financing
EZchip's $5.3M first round financing includes investment from Star Ventures, Apax Partners & Co. and Tamar Investments. EZchip will use the funding to support the company's rapid growth, continue its network processor development efforts and open offices in the United States later this year.

About EZchip
EZchip Technologies is a privately held, venture-funded startup company providing high performance network processors for next-generation 10-Gigabit switches and routers. At the heart of EZchip's solutions is its breakthrough Task Optimized Processing Core, or TOPcore®, technology that delivers ten-fold faster 7-layer packet processing at wire speed. For more information on EZchip, visit our web site at http://www.ezchip.com.

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Editorial Contacts:
Daureen Green, EZchip Technologies, Israel
++972-6-644 9966
E.Mail: dgreen@ezchip.com

Karen George AccessMillennium3 Inc.
562-597-8086
Email: karen@access-pr.com