EAST FISHKILL, NY -- IBM today introduced the next member in its family of network processors. The new IBM PowerNP NP2G is targeted for low-to mid-range networking equipment running at two gigabits per second (Gb/s) and is the highest performing network processor in its class. The device, fully code compatible with other members of the family, achieves up to 5.6 million packets per second (Mpps) of throughput. "IBM's PowerNP is the leader among OC-48 network processors," said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of The Linley Group. "The new NP2G brings this proven architecture to the OC-12/gigabit space, allowing IBM to compete for a much broader range of design wins." The PowerNP NP2G is designed to fit a broad spectrum of networking applications such as security, enhanced quality of service, voice over IP, load balancing, and encryption in networking equipment such as base stations, access routers, firewalls, and servers. The PowerNP NP2G achieves its performance leadership utilizing a "Run-to-Completion" architectural model. In this design, each of the 12 deep packet processing engines has access to the full 128KB of on-chip instructions allowing them to completely process each packet in parallel. Additionally, the NP2G contains more than 60 distributed co-processor hardware functions which enables the processing engines to be 100 percent utilized for protocol processing. The PowerNP NP2G brings with it a level of investment protection that can help contain cost and shorten development cycles. It runs the same software code as IBM's PowerNP NP4GS3, an OC-48c (4Gb/s) processor which was recently the recipient of the"Analysts' Choice Award", by industry analyst firm Cahners In-Stat, publishers of The Microprocessor Report. The two devices are pin-compatible, which allow customers to easily migrate from the NP2G to the NP4GS3 when their products require higher performance. "IBM's new network processor provides our customers scalability from 2G to 4G applications on a common architecture and development environment for true software portability from the OC-12 to the OC-48 markets," said Steve Longoria, director, Network Processors, IBM Microelectronics. "This device is also made easier to program through the use of a reference card and tool support, greatly easing the burden of development." In an effort to expand development capabilities and drive down development costs for networking customers, IBM and Silicon & Software Systems (S3) have teamed to develop a new Application Reference Board for the PowerNP NP4GS3 Network Processor. Available from both IBM and S3, the reference board enables communications providers to prototype advanced networking applications based on the latest IBM PowerNP products. The board is a PCI form factor based on the PowerNP NP4GS3 and will be extended to support the NP2G network processor. By delivering this functionality in a PCI card, the reference board reduces the cost of the development environment and offers users a Linux-based industry standard platform capable of prototyping innovative hardware and software applications. In addition, S3 is also announcing MPLS/VPN Provider Edge Router and Load Balancing Switch vertical reference applications for the Application Reference Board. Samples of the IBM NP2G are available immediately with production quantities in June, and is priced at $195 each in 10K quantity. Today's announcement builds on the NP4GS3 network processor, IBM's advanced programmable, high performance solution for more demanding networking applications. This high-end member of IBM's family of network processors implements copper interconnect technology and is designed to satisfy enterprise, core and edge networking and Internet requirements. It is the only device on the market independently tested and proven to operate at true OC-48c network speeds. IBM is continually planning for further advances in network communications technology in its Communications Research and Development Center. Comprised of scientists and engineers from IBM research and development centers in Zurich, Haifa, Yorktown, NY and Raleigh, NC, the Center concentrates on developing technologies for future network communications components, such as ultra-scaleable switching systems and advanced router products. For more information visit www.ibm.com/chips