Network search engines (NSEs) from Integrated Device Technology are being used by Harbour Networks in its range of routers and switches.

The communications IC firm said Harbour is using its 75K62134 and 75K72234 NSEs, devices which integrate look-aside (LA-1) interfaces to network processor units.

Harbour Networks specialises in Internet protocol (IPv6) data networking equipment. Its PowerHammer routers support 10Gbit networks in carrier-class backbone IP networks and broadband IP MAN core networks. The BigHammer switches are a 40Gbit/s platform for carrier-class MAN and LAN applications.

The China-based firm said the 75K62134 was the first device to offer a fully integrated LA-1 interface, with the 75K72234 offering a dual interface.

LA-1 was defined by the Network Processor Forum. It is a memory mapped interface for devices sitting next to a network processor, allowing the processor to off-load tasks to its companion chip. It aims to support data rates from OC-48 to OC-192 (2.5 to 10Gbit/s).

In the case of the IDT devices, the network processor can off-load network searches, up to 250 million per second. In turn, this allows the network processor to improve services such as traffic management, security and accounting.

www.idt.com