Broadcom intros first 65nm Gigabit Ethernet switches

IRVINE, USA: Broadcom Corp. announced the availability of the industry's first Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switches produced in 65nm CMOS process technology. Broadcom leveraged its advanced 65nm intellectual property (IP) portfolio to develop the StrataXGS 200 series, a new generation of intelligent GbE switches that will accelerate the deployment of secure unified communications infrastructures.

An unprecedented level of integration is achieved using 65nm process technology, which enables lower-power silicon solutions that can reduce overall system costs in applications for local area networks (LAN), service providers and data centers. Today's announcement extends Broadcom's leadership in the networking silicon market, where it currently holds 70 percent market share in merchant silicon for GbE switch integrated circuits (ICs).

To minimize capital expenditures and reduce operating costs of network infrastructures, IT professionals are often faced with the challenging task of simplifying the management of desktop PCs, VoIP phones, WLAN access points, handheld devices and security appliances. This challenge, coupled with the deployment of new applications and the on- going convergence of voice, video and data services, has intensified the need for reliable, secure, high performance unified networks. Ethernet switching is the most pervasive and cost-effective solution to address these IT issues. Migrating to 65nm process technology allows Broadcom to pack more memory and logic onto a single piece of silicon, which ultimately results in better security and increased system performance in unified networks.

"Broadcom has combined its field-proven, market leading StrataXGS architecture with our advancements in 65nm process technology to raise the bar again in the networking semiconductor market," said Eric Hayes, Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Networking Switch line of business. "With the StrataXGS 200 series, Broadcom continues to effectively address critical market needs of not only enterprise local area networks, but also service providers and data centers as well."

StrataXGS 200 Series
The StrataXGS 200 series contains highly integrated multilayer Ethernet switches that can support up to 28 GbE ports and can operate at 10/100/1000 Megabits per second (Mbps). The series provides wire speed Layer 2 (L2) switching and Layer 3 (L3) routing for highly manageable enterprise networks. It also performs IPv6 routing and transition services in hardware, allowing IT professionals to deploy future-proofed L3 switches. This hardware-based scheme supports manageable L3 networks and enables an easy migration from IPv4 to IPv6.

The series also integrates a 32-bit MIPS CPU processor optimized for running demanding network management applications. Advanced QoS capabilities, including sophisticated metering, statistics and traffic management, prepare the network for the inevitable explosion of voice and video content and will allow for a better end-user experience.

The 65nm process is the most advanced lithographic node for manufacturing semiconductors in large volumes today. It provides significant benefits over 90nm and 130nm processes by enabling lower power consumption, smaller size, higher yields and higher levels of integration. With the depth and breadth of Broadcom's advanced portfolio of market-proven IP, the company is able to drive innovative new products to market and differentiate its solutions from the competition.