100Gbit/s Packet Processors Will Help Relieve Network Traffic, Heavy Reading Finds

BOSTON, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Network traffic is continually growing, and most network equipment providers plan to use packet processors that can handle 100 Gbit/s by the end of 2014 to help relieve some of that demand, according to the latest report from Heavy Reading Components Insider (www.heavyreading.com/commchip), a paid research service of Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com).

TEMs Rate Multicore & Network Processor Suppliers for 2013 analyzes the use of multicore processors and NPUs by telecom equipment manufacturers, based on a worldwide survey of engineers, designers, product managers and sales/marketing personnel that work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The responses make it clear that these devices are critical components in most types of networking equipment.

For a complete list of companies covered in this report, http://twimgs.com/audiencedevelopment/LRHR/PDFS/cci0313_companies.pdf

"Network traffic continues to grow, driven by 4G smartphones, VoD and cloud-based applications," says Simon Stanley, research analyst for Heavy Reading Components Insider and author of the report. "Mobile data is forecast by Cisco to grow by an average of 66 percent each year for the next five years, reaching 11.2 exabytes per month by 2017."

By the end of 2014 most networking equipment providers will be using packet processors that can handle 100 Gbit/s, Stanley says. "10Gbit/s packet processors are used by more than 70 percent of the companies covered in this survey," he adds. "Looking forward, our respondents said that packet processors should integrate security functions, traffic management, DPI and control plane processing. The performance that is being achieved by 28/32nm devices is creating new opportunities for carriers and system vendors to deploy a mix of dedicated networking systems and virtualized core networks using the latest NPUs and general-purpose, and integrated, multicore processors."

Key findings of TEMs Rate Multicore & Network Processor Suppliers for 2013 include the following:

• 100G NPUs are replacing 10G NPUs, with half of equipment makers already using 100G devices
• 65 percent of equipment makers will require 100G packet processing in the next 12 to 24 months
• 120W or more available for packet processing, with more than 25 percent supporting 80W
• Rapid growth is expected for 28/32nm devices
• Intel Xeon E5-2400/2600 is already being used by more than half the companies covered in the survey
• Performance is the key criterion for the selection of new multicore processors and NPUs
• Integration is required for future multicore processors and NPUs

TEMs Rate Multicore & Network Processor Suppliers for 2013 is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (6 issues per year) to Heavy Reading Components Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900 (single-user license).

For more information about Heavy Reading Components Insider, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/commchip. For more information about other Heavy Reading Insider research services, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/research.

To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact:

Jeff Geddes
Account Manager
Heavy Reading
303-997-9135
geddes@lightreading.com

Press/analyst contact:
Jennifer Baker
Marketing Director, Light Reading Communications Network
617-747-4110
jennifer.baker@ubm.com

About Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com)
Heavy Reading is an independent research organization offering deep analysis of emerging telecom trends to network operators, technology suppliers, and investors. Its product portfolio includes in-depth reports that address critical next-generation technology and service issues, market trackers that focus on the telecom industry's most critical technology sectors, exclusive worldwide surveys of network operator decision-makers that identify future purchasing and deployment plans, and a rich array of custom and consulting services that give clients the market intelligence needed to compete successfully in the global telecom industry. As a division of UBM Tech (tech.ubm.com), Heavy Reading contributes to the only integrated business information platform serving the global communications industry.

SOURCE Heavy Reading