PLX Reaches New Milestone in PCI Express; ExpressLane PEX 8532 32-Lane PCI Express Switch Now Sampling

Business Wire, Oct 26, 2004

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- PLX Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLXT), the leading supplier of standard input/output (I/O) interconnect silicon to the communications, server, storage, embedded control, and consumer industries, today announced it has reached a significant new milestone with its recently introduced PLX(R) ExpressLane(TM) family of PCI Express(TM) switching and bridging devices. PLX has begun sampling the 32-lane ExpressLane PEX 8532 switch to its early customers.

System and board designers now can order from PLX samples of the PEX 8532, which is available in a 35x35mm, 680-pin BGA package. Additionally, designers can order a PLX reference development kit (RDK) for the PEX 8532, enabling them to evaluate the device, streamline their product development and bring their designs to market faster.

Interoperability with Wide Range of PCI Express Systems, Boards

In addition to sampling the chip, PLX has successfully interoperated PEX 8532 silicon with a large number of PCI Express (PCIe) systems and I/O modules from leading manufacturers. Through its interoperability with this wide range of products, the PEX 8532 will enable next-generation designs with unmatched flexibility and functionality, while assuring compliance with the latest PCIe specification.

The PEX 8532 switching device is the industry's only 32-lane PCIe switch with eight flexible ports, two virtual channels, and non-transparent bridging. The device provides flexible port widths, allowing any port to be configured as either upstream or downstream through hardware strapping, software configuration or an optional EEPROM. The PEX 8532 switch provides a standard hot plug controller on each port to enable field upgrades. Furthermore, it provides optional end-to-end cyclical redundancy checks (CRC) to support the applications that require the guarantee of data integrity while it moves from source to destination. In addition to the basic error reporting, the PEX 8532 supports advanced error reporting, thus easing system development, debug and optimization.

"This is a significant achievement and a testament to PLX's engineering expertise to sample ExpressLane PCI Express switch silicon to its early customers after a very short time in the validation lab," said Akber Kazmi, PLX product marketing manager for the ExpressLane switches.

The PLX ExpressLane family of products consists of PCIe switches and PCI/PCI-X-to-PCIe bridges. PLX plans to sample its 16-lane PEX 8516 switch, and PEX 8114 and PEX 8114 bridges in the months to come.

Ordering Information

To order samples of the ExpressLane PEX 8532 and/or its RDK (priced at $995), please contact PLX at 408-328-3500 or go to www.plxtech.com/contacts.> About PLX

PLX Technology, Inc. (www.plxtech.com), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., USA, is a leading supplier of standard I/O interconnect silicon to the communications, server, storage, embedded-control, and consumer industries. The PLX solution provides a competitive edge to our customers through an integrated combination of high-performance silicon, hardware and software design tools, and partnerships. These innovative solutions enable our customers to develop equipment with industry-leading performance, scalability and reliability. Furthermore, the combination of PLX product features and supporting infrastructure allow customers to bring their designs to market faster. PLX PCI- and USB-based devices are designed into a wide variety of applications across multiple industries.

PLX, ExpressLane and the PLX Technology logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions.