Broadcom Introduces Highly Integrated, Low-Power Processor SoC for Switch Control Plane Applications

Rising demand for cloud-based services in SMB and enterprise networks combined with the requirement to deliver compact, low-power equipment is driving the need for higher efficiency control plane processors at the network edge and aggregation layer. The StrataGX BCM58525 Series is ideal for demanding applications where power and real estate is at a premium, while providing advanced security features including IEEE MAC Security standard, also known as MACsec, cryptographic engines, an additional embedded ARM coprocessor and Secure Boot to protect the network from external threats.

Our latest StrataGX Series provides the integration, efficiency and advanced security features necessary to meet current and future network control plane traffic demands, said Ed Redmond, Broadcom Vice President and General Manager, Compute and Connectivity. By providing a companion device using the same core and software as the integrated processors in our StrataConnect and StrataXGS devices, our customers can deliver higher performance, lower power solutions while leveraging existing investments.

The highly integrated StrataGX BCM58525 Series delivers the following key benefits:
• Widely adopted dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processors deliver 20 percent higher performance1
• Integrated 10/100/1000M PHYs reduce bill of material cost and power
• Programmable accelerator offloads CPU for packet handling tasks delivering line-rate performance
• Integrated cryptographic accelerator provides 2 Gbps IPsec performance
• Dedicated packet buffer subsystem increases aggregate processor speed by 20 percent or more1
• Leverages common architecture with StrataConnect/StrataXGS enabling software re-use
• Linux Development Kit improves engineering productivity and reduces design complexity
• Complete reference design including schematics, tools and software to enable faster time to market
• Extends industry's broadest control plane processor portfolio including the feature-rich high performance, 64-bit dual core, quad-threaded, quad-issue XLP-200 Series

Availability
The BCM58525 Series is now sampling with volume production slated for 4Q 2013. The BCM58525 Series is offered with a complete reference design platform available immediately.