IDT Develops IP Coprocessor for Cisco Systems Inc

Electronic News, Sept 18, 2000

COMMUNICATIONS IC FIRM Integrated Device Technology Inc. (IDT) last week announced that Cisco Systems Inc. will utilize a custom version of its newly developed intellectual property (IP) coprocessor in the Catalyst family of multilayer switches. IDT is claiming its product is the fastest to combine content- addressable memory technology with specialized logic and a high-speed controller interface.

The IP coprocessor developed for Cisco runs at speeds up to 166MHz and provides 83 million look-ups per second. IP coprocessors are used in applications that require high-speed data searching such as routers, higher-layer switching, and applications involved in the convergence of voice, data and video. "As network bandwidth continues to grow, the need for specialized coprocessors to speed the routing task becomes increasingly important," said Bob Merritt, director of emerging markets for Semico Research Corp., in a statement. "This announcement demonstrates the significant strides that IDT has made in focusing its e fforts on communications applications. The opportunity to integrate the IDT coprocessor into Cisco's Catalyst family of multilayer switches gives the IDT design team invaluable insight into the performance hurdles that will be faced by network IC designers in the near future." IDT estimates the market could be $150 million to $200 million in 2001. IDT is currently shipping the customized IP coprocessor and plans to launch a family of standard products with availability in the next calendar year.