IBM launches processors for networking products

BANGALORE, September 4: International Business Machines Corp. has

launched a new programmable communications processor as part of its drive

to become a major technology supplier to the communications industry.

To focus on new technologies for communications components, IBM is

starting a communications Research and Development centre. The company is

also encouraging the development of new applications for communications

processors by working with third-party companies to establish software

standards.

IBM also said it, along with C-Port Corp, developer of the

general-purpose network processing chip, had "revealed a common

interest in defining standard application programming interfaces

(APIs)." The APIs makes it faster and easier to add new functions to

networking systems through software. The companies are exploring ways to

make their individual network processor technologies work closely

together. IBM seeks to be the dominant player in high-growth wired

communications markets industry analysts estimate will generate $20

billions in revenues by 2003.