Kontron Launches Powerful 64-core Cavium Networks dual OCTEON(R) II 40G ATCA(R) Packet Processor Blade
By Kontron, PRNEMonday, February 14, 2011
Supports Layers 2- through 7 functions and full deterministic processing of LTE EPC, DPI, IPTV network traffic at wire speed
BARCELONA, Spain, February 15, 2011 - Kontron unveiled today the 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade AT8242
designed with two powerful OCTEON(R) II cnMIPS64 multi-core processors from
Cavium Networks (Nasdaq: CAVM). This represents the third generation of
Kontron products based on the OCTEON family of multi-core processors and is a
clear game changer for telecom equipment manufacturers seeking the most
efficient, densest, open standard 40G bladed hardware. The Kontron AT8242
manages complex networking functions and provides a future-proof investment
that easily scales with the expected exponential growth of converged voice,
video and data traffic over IP-based networks.
The Kontron 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade AT8242 features two
OCTEON II CN6880 processors, each one integrating 32 enhanced cnMIPS64 v2
cores with up to 48GHz of 64-bit computing power in a single chip. It also
combines over 85 L3-L7 application acceleration engines, virtualization
features, 100Gbps of connectivity, and a new Real Time Power Optimizer(TM)
that dynamically adjusts power depending upon the application-level
processing requirement.
Customers can use the Kontron 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade AT8242
in combination with the new Kontron 14-slot ATCA(R) platforms OM9141-40G
and/or OM9141-10G, featuring market-leading switch management software and up
to four times the I/O switching bandwidth than the previous platform
generation.
The Kontron AT8242 is designed for versatility and can be used in many
core and edge network applications, particularly Packet Data Network Gateways
(PGW), Serving Gateways (SGW) and Mobility Management Entity (MME) network
elements found in the 4G LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Growth in mobile data
traffic networks will require more efficient and powerful deterministic
processing of applications such as packet processing, deep packet content
inspection (RegEx), application-aware switching and routing, parsing,
IPv6/IPv4 forwarding, compression/decompression, classification, and
Quality-of-Service (QoS) at 40Gbps wire-speed.
Enhanced powerful 64bit cores from Cavium Networks
With the new and highly touted OCTEON II multi-core processors, Cavium
Networks redesigned its cores from the previous generation to offer a
significantly better TCP and control plane performance per core. In addition
to enhanced MIPS cores, the processors also feature new dedicated hardware
blocks, more memory, cache set associativity up to 37-way and a variety of
new interfaces.
Each of the two OCTEON II processors - linked via Interlaken x4
interfaces - provides up to 48GHz of compute performance, and 37KB I-cache
and 32KB D-cache operating at up to 1.5GHz for 3 to 4 times more performance
than alternative solutions. The resulting processing and interface
architecture means the CN6880 is capable of 40Gbit/s duplex line rate
processing, 20Gbit/s data compression and its inbuilt DPI engines can handle
40Gbit/s of application recognition independent of the number of rules and
number of flows.
DPI functions are handled by Cavium Networks' Hyper-Finite Automata (HFA)
engines, a new innovative hardware acceleration block that, in addition to
the packet header information, also examines the footer, source, destination
and payload information to help identify applications and protocols for more
efficient network management of services. Another vital on-chip processor
engine is the application acceleration manager, which processes incoming
packets, queues and tags them, schedules a task to an available core and
decides what will happen to the result.
The CN6880 supports 4MB of partitionable L2 cache using a HyperConnect
cross-bar with more than 6 Tbps throughput. This means lower latency and
improved I/O traffic performance. In addition, each cnMIPS64 core has a
dedicated 37KB L1 l-cache and 32KB L1 D-cache, which provides deterministic,
lower latency and improved I/O traffic performance and avoids cache
'thrashing'.
Support for virtualization is also provided, enabling multiple instances
of operating systems (OS) and other software running on top of those OSs -
all on the same multi-core processor. These OSs can share all the hardware
resources including I/O interfaces, memory, and packet processing offload.
OCTEON II silicon also employs Cavium's new innovative Real Time Power
Optimizer(TM), a dynamic power management feature, which can throttle the
chip's wattage up or down depending on its processing load.
Kontron AT8242 blade level design
The Kontron 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade AT8242 complies to the
following standards: PICMG(R) 3.0 R3.0 specification; PICMG(R) 3.1 R1.0
specification, and eventually PICMG(R) 3.1 R2.0; IPMI v2.0, and RoHS. Each
OCTEON II is supported by one USB Flash drive (16GB) and 4 DDR3 DIMM sockets
each supporting 32GB address range for a total of up to 256GB for both
processors.
Each processor supports 2x 20Gbps and 2x 10Gbps for a total of up to
60Gbps to a Ethernet Multilayer Switch that has a bandwidth capacity of up to
320Gbps and is connected to the Fabric Interface with configurable 40/10 GbE
links [2x (4x Gb / XAUI / 4x10G-KR / 40G-KR4)], and to the Base Interface
with two 1GbE links.
Front panel access includes 2x RS232 - RJ45 ports - one to each OCTEON II
processor - and 1x RS232 - RJ45 port to the switch management processor, and
1x 10/100/1000Base-T via RJ45 port to the switch management processor. For
rear access there are two available Rear Transition Module (RTM) units, each
with different connector configurations, including: RTM8242 featuring 84 Gbps
total available bandwidth with 8 SFP+ (FI) and 4x GbE SFP (BI) connectors;
and, the RTM8940 featuring up to 2x 40G QSFP (FI), 2x 1G SFP (BI), 4x 10G
SFP+ (FI) with LRM support, and optional Telco PLL (incl. optional SyncE
support).
Server management is supported by an IPMC, Dual IPMB, and Serial over LAN
(IPMI v2.0) for extensive sensors monitoring and event generation on
thresholds. There are two redundant Boot Block Flash BIOS and IPMI firmware
with rollover.
Supporting Quotes
"Kontron is a valued Cavium PACE ecosystem member and we fully support
them in supplying a first-class packet processor blade on ATCA(R) hardware,"
said YJ Kim, General Manager, Multi-core Processor Group at Cavium Networks.
"With the unmatched performance and integration of the OCTEON II, the Kontron
AT8242 will be an essential building block to support new classes of
innovative 3G/4G wireless applications that were simply not possible
previously."
"The need to intelligently and cost-effectively manage the growing mobile
network traffic generated across 4G LTE networks is one of many challenges
faced by wireless operators around the world," said Linley Gwennap, Principal
Analyst at The Linley Group. "The Cavium-Kontron design gives equipment
vendors the ability to address these challenges using content inspection at
up to 40Gbps line speeds."
"The marriage of open standard ATCA(R) hardware with the multi-core
packet processor technology is a perfect match," said Simon Stanley, Analyst
at Large, Heavy Reading. "A Kontron designed ATCA(R) blade with the OCTEON II
architecture will be an appealing and scalable solution that can deliver the
performance required for the complex network functions that handle
intelligent routing, data center virtualization, storage, 4G/LTE wireless, HD
video over the Internet, and multimedia rich Web 2.0 applications."
"Kontron customers are in an extremely competitive race to be first to
market with innovative solutions that feature significantly more efficient
and intelligent multi-core processing, such as that supplied by the OCTEON II
processors from Cavium Networks," said Dirk Finstel, CTO of Kontron. "We are
exceptionally pleased to add the 40G ATCA(R) packet processor blade Kontron
AT8242 to our new line of application-ready 40G ATCA(R) platforms."
Availability
Early samples of the Kontron 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade AT8242
will be available for evaluation in Q2, 2011.
Kontron is available to further discuss details of the Kontron AT8242
during Mobile World Congress, at Booth 2A28 in Hall 2.0, on February 14-17,
2011.
For more information on the Kontron 40GbE ATCA(R) packet processor blade
AT8242, please visit:
www.kontron.com/products/boards+and+mezzanines/advancedtca/process
or/at8242.html
For more information on Kontron integrated ATCA(TM) platforms, please
visit:
www.kontron.com/OCP
About Kontron
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more
than 30% of its employees in Research and Development, Kontron creates many
of the standards that drive the world's embedded computing platforms.
Kontron's product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added
services, helps create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs
and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their
embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to
focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated
time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership and an improved overall
application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology.
Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol
"KBC". For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com
All rights reserved.
Kontron is a trademark or registered trademark of Kontron AG.
PICMG(R), AdvancedTCA(R) and AdvancedMC(TM) are trademarks of the PCI
Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks
or copyrights by their respective owners and are recognized.
All data is for information purposes only and not guaranteed for legal
purposes. Subject to change without notice. Information in this press release
has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no
responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EMEA: Norbert Hauser, Kontron, +49-8341-803-0, norbert.hauser at kontron.com, or Michael Hennen, SAMS Network, +49-2405-45267-20, michael.hennen at samsnetwork.com; Americas: Richard Pugnier, Kontron, +1-858-623-3006, richard.pugnier at us.kontron.com, or Annette Keller, Keller Communications, +1-949-640-4811, annettekeller at sbcglobal.net; APAC: Richard Pugnier, Kontron, +1-858-623-3006, richard.pugnier at us.kontron.com, or Michael Hennen, SAMS Network, +49-2405-45267-20, michael.hennen at samsnetwork.com
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