Netronome Announces Licensing Agreement fro High-End Network Processor Technology

Netronome Systems to continue development of the Intel IXP28XX product line of network flow processors, ensuring continuation of the product roadmap and support for current and future customers

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania -- November 12, 2007 -- Netronome Systems, Inc., a leading developer of high-performance intelligent networking solutions that provide content flow analysis, deep packet inspection and application acceleration for network and security appliances, announced today a technology licensing and sales and marketing agreement with Intel focused on the extension of the Intel® IXP28XX product line of network processors.  Under the terms of the agreement, Netronome is developing a next-generation line of IXP-compatible, high-end network flow processors that combine the Intel IXP28XX technology with Netronome’s flow management and deep packet inspection architecture. In addition, Netronome is authorized to promote the use of the IXP28XX network processors with customers in new designs. The new network flow processors are designed for a variety of communications applications ranging from network switching and routing (L2-L3) to content and flow analysis for specialized network and security appliances (L2-L7). They will support scalable network performance at 10 Gbps and beyond, along with sophisticated packet and flow classification, in a highly programmable design environment that will provide users of the Intel IXP28XX product line with a path to higher performance and software scalability.

Network switches, routers and appliances share a common set of requirements, including high-speed packet forwarding, intelligent flow analysis and processing, and the design flexibility to keep pace with the rapid advances in IP communications. As a result of these agreements, Netronome’s solutions for these network flow processing requirements will be offered in three forms, each optimized for the unique needs of individual manufacturers of L2-L7 applications.  Netronome’s solutions will include network flow processors, acceleration cards for integration with appliances based on standard Intel Architecture and complete turnkey network appliances. Each supports line-rate network throughput at 10 Gbps and beyond, while simultaneously offering industry-leading flow analysis and deep packet inspection.

“Netronome is pleased to be the licensee of Intel’s high-end network processor technology, as it will allow us to renew the IXP28XX product roadmap commitment to both companies’ existing customers,” said Niel Viljoen, CEO of Netronome. “Our team is comprised of individuals who have all played significant roles in the definition, design and evolution of the NPU industry, including the Intel IXP28XX product line. This gives us the knowledge and confidence to help our shared customers combine line-rate network performance, intelligent flow processing and unmatched programmability into a single, cost-effective design, while continuing to utilize the investment they’ve made not only in the Intel IXP28XX product line, but also in their associated development environment.”

“The licensing of our technology will allow customers to continue their IXP hardware development and will provide the re-use of their existing tools, codebase and knowledge,” said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel.

Significant terms of the agreements include:

• Netronome will develop a family of high-end network flow processors based on, and compatible with, the existing Intel IXP28xx product line, with at least 16 micro-engines.
• Netronome and Intel will collaborate on several technology initiatives, including Intel’s QuickPath Interconnect and QuickAssist in order to provide the tightest integration between the Intel CPU architecture and Netronome’s network flow processors.
• Netronome is authorized to promote use of the IXP28xx network processors with customers in new designs.Netronome will begin providing immediate sales support of the Intel IXP2855 and Intel IXP2805 network processors for new designs.
• Netronome will provide full support for the Intel IXA Software and Hardware Development Kit (SDK/HDK), for new Intel IXP28XX designs, as well as those based on Netronome’s new high-end network flow processors.
• Doug Davis, vice president and general manager of Intel’s Embedded Communications Group (ECG), will join Netronome’s board of directors.
• Intel will continue to act as the primary distribution source in fulfillment of all Intel IXP28XX products.
• Netronome’s status in the Intel Embedded and Communication Alliance will be elevated to an affiliate member.

“This is a significant agreement, not only for Netronome, but for the network-processor industry as a whole,” said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. “The IXP is the best-selling NPU architecture on the market today, and this agreement ensures a growth path for existing customers as network speeds increase from 1Gbps to 10Gbps and beyond. Furthermore, with its deep understanding of network flow processing, Netronome is uniquely positioned to expand the network processor market into new applications.”

Netronome also offers immediate availability of Netronome Flow Engines (NFEs), a family of PCI Express coprocessor subsystems based on the Intel IXP28xx product line, for use in systems built on standard Intel Architecture that hosts Linux®-based network and security applications. The NFEs are also available embedded within the Open Appliance Platformâ„¢, a family of turnkey network appliances.

About Netronome Systems

Netronome Systems, Inc. develops open, high-performance application acceleration and flow processing solutions for communications network devices, applications and appliances. Founded in August 2003, Netronome is a privately held corporation. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with North American offices in Santa Clara, California and Boston, Massachusetts, Netronome has international operations in Centurion, South Africa; Cambridge, United Kingdom; Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China; and Penang, Malaysia. To learn more about the company and its products, please visit www.netronome.com or call +1 877 NETRO A-Z (+1 877 638 7629).