NEWS
IBM, Wind River Announce Network Processor Technology Collaboration
The two companies intend to optimize Wind River's Tornado® for Managed Switches (TMS) 2.0 software to run on IBM's PowerNP NP4GS3 network processor, offering customers a feature-rich, scalable platform for building next-generation, high-speed networking equipment. This technology collaboration is expected to enable flexible integration of customer-specific features into network equipment, portability across a wide range of hardware architectures, comprehensive packet processing functions for Layer 2 and Layer 3 communications applications and the ability to quickly adapt to new and evolving software standards.
"Software-programmable network processors offer a great opportunity for equipment manufacturers facing intense pressure to innovate while minimizing their product design cycle time," said James Northington, vice president of Network Technology for IBM. "We believe customers will find the combination of IBM's PowerNP network processor and Wind River's TMS 2.0 software a cohesive platform for rapid development of high-performance, customized communications gear."
IBM's NP4GS3 and Wind River's TMS have been designed to meet the performance requirements of switches, routers and other high-speed communication equipment used in data centers, Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and service provider core networks. The combination of these products is expected to help communication equipment manufacturers speed the development of their next-generation equipment by integrating hardware and software development platforms.
"The companies that are winning today in the communications market are the ones who buy the best and build the rest," said David Fraser, vice president and general manager Wind River Networks business unit. "Starting with a fully integrated platform means developers are focused on designing the differentiating features and product innovations that are required to be successful in today's competitive market. They are able to meet or beat aggressive time to market schedules which means longer time in market for their products."
To speed the optimization of IBM's NP4GS3 and TMS, Wind River's design services organization is developing a new Switch Support Package (SSP) to link the hardware and software platforms. Wind River's design services organization has developed the expertise required to undertake complete programs of hardware and software development based on the IBM PowerNP network processor and Wind River software technologies. Customers can work with Wind River design services to assist in the implementation of large development projects based on the technologies of the two companies.
The combined TMS-NP4GS3 solution will be made available to customers as part of IBM's PowerNP NP4GS3 reference platform, a prototype subsystem that offers equipment makers an opportunity to conduct "real world" hardware and software evaluation before building their products. IBM's network processor reference platform can be used to configure an operational version of a network switch or router, helping customers implement and test how a system, powered by the NP4GS3 will perform complex data packet management.
About TMS
Wind River's TMS is the industry's only complete embedded software solution for advanced data networking equipment. It combines Wind River's industry-leading VxWorks® real-time operating system and powerful Tornado development tools with integrated switching and routing protocols and management applications. TMS 2.0 offers advanced quality of service (QoS) features to support applications such as Internet telephony ("Voice over IP" or "VoIP") and video conferencing. Wind River's latest release, TMS 2.0, is the first off-the-shelf solution for Layer 3 IP routing. It addresses the needs of optical networking and broadband access concentrators as well as enterprise Ethernet switches and routers.
About Wind River
Wind River is a worldwide leader in embedded software. Wind River provides software development tools, real-time operating systems, and advanced connectivity for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, digital consumer electronics, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, industrial automation and control, and aerospace/defense markets. Wind River is how smart things think. Founded in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations in sixteen countries worldwide.
IBM, IBM Microelectronics, IBM Blue Logic and CoreConnect are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Wind River Systems, the Wind River Systems logo and Tornado are registered trademarks or trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.
Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications