IBM and Cisco Systems combined forces to produce a new chip for routing network traffic that the companies say is “the world’s most complex, programmable custom chip to power.”
The chip is included in the Cisco Carrier Routing System (Cisco CRS-1) designed to handle data, voice and video across Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
The Cisco Silicon Packet Processor (SPP) handles 40 gigabits per second and can execute 47 billion instructions per second. Cisco says the SPP combined with its IOS XR software “enables carriers to adapt to changing customer needs and accelerate service delivery.”
Cisco and IBM have been working on chips for the past three years.
The chips are produced by IBM at facilities in New York and Vermont.
Cisco: www.cisco.com
IBM: www.ibm.com
