Network Processors: Not Just for Routers Anymore

We carefully examined over 20 target markets to develop the Industry's most comprehensive report available on the true potential of this complex market. This 80-page report includes the normal in-depth technical overview, market overview, vendor profiles, market share analysis by revenue and by shipments for 2001 and the 1st half of 2002, and detailed, 5-year forecasts that are broken out by major market segments. By 2006, the total NPU market - including Metro and Core Grade NPUs - is projected to reach $1.6 Billion up from about $50 Million in 2001.

Executive Summary

Introduction

Methodology

Technical Overview

Definitions

SONET Technology Review

What is "Network Processing"

Where do NPUs Fit Within a Nominal System?

Why Use NPUs Instead of Other Solutions?

ASICs versus NPUs

Profit is Paramount

The Evolving Internet

How important is software to NPUs?

Market Overview

History of the NPU Market

Last Year's Problems

Evidence of a Turn Around

Patience is a Virtue

The Hope of Tomorrow

Harmonics are the Key

Network Processor Forecast

Forecast Process and Assumptions

Overall Forecasts

NPU Revenue Forecast 2001 to 2006

NPU Shipments Forecast 2001 to 2006

NPU ASP Forecast 2001 to 2006

Summary

Overall Penetration Rates

Forecasts by Speed Grade

Metro NPUs

Core NPUs

Market Shares

Network Processor Vendors

Agere Systems

Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC)

Bay Microsystems

Broadcom

Cognigine

Mindspeed/Conexant

EZchip Technologies

Intel

International Business Machines (IBM)

Internet Machines Corp. (IMC)

Motorola

Silicon Access Networks, Inc.

Teradiant Networks

TranSwitch

Vitesse

Xelerated Packet Devices (XPD)

Summary

Appendix A: Glossary

List of Tables

Table 1. Speeds of the SONET and SDH Hierarchy

Table 2. Terms used in NTC Layout Diagram

Table 3. The Profit Curves Related to an ASIC-based Solution

Table 4. The Profit Curves Related to an NPU-based Solution

Table 5. Network Processor Revenue Forecast 2001 - 2006, ($M)

Table 6. Network Processor Shipment Forecast 2001 - 2006 (Units in Thousands)

Table 7. Network Processor ASP Forecast 2001 - 2006

Table 8. Summary of Network Processor Market 2001 - 2006

Table 9. Projected Penetration Rates for Merchant Metro NPUs, 2001 - 2006

Table 10. Projected Penetration Rates for Merchant Core NPUs, 2001 - 2006

Table 11. Metro NPU Revenue Splits, 2001 - 2006

Table 12. Metro NPU Shipments 2001 - 2006 (Units)

Table 13. Metro NPU Revenues 2001 - 2006, ($M)

Table 14. Metro NPU Revenue Splits, 2001 - 2006

Table 15. Core NPU Shipments 2001 - 2006

Table 16. Core NPU Revenues 2001 - 2006, ($M)

Table 17. Devices include in Market Share Analysis from Each NPU Vendor

Table 18. Bill of Materials for a 320 Gbps NGCB using AMCC Devices

List of Figures

Figure 1. Summary of Network Processor Forecast ($B and Millions of Units)

Figure 2. In-Stat/MDR's Market Segmentation for Network Processors

Figure 3. The Fundamental Components of an SPE

Figure 4. The Addition of a New ADM to a Typical MAN

Figure 5. Types of Processor Architectures and Stage Timing

Figure 6. Generalized NTC Layout Diagram

Figure 7. Nominal Volume Curve for a Single NPU Project within a Single Target Market

Figure 8. Compound Volume Curve for Many NPU Projects with Realistic Project Failures

Figure 9. Amalgamation of Queue Managers and Fabric Interfaces into Traffic Mangers

Figure 10. An NPU/TM/SF-Based NGCB handling Multiple Protocols

Figure 11. AT&T's Internet Backbone Map

Figure 12. Why Harmonics of 10 Gbps will be the Speeds of Choice to Connect Line Cards

Figure 13. Network Processor Revenue Forecast 2001 - 2006 ($B)

Figure 14. Network Processor Shipment Forecast 2001 - 2006

Figure 15. Network Processor ASP Forecast 2001 - 2006

Figure 16. Metro NPU Revenue Forecast ($M) 2001 - 2006

Figure 17. Core NPU Revenue Forecast ($M) 2001 - 2006

Figure 18. Market Shares by Revenues for Metro NPUs (%) 2001 and 1st Half 2002

Figure 19. Market Shares by Shipments for Metro NPUs (%) 2001 and 1st Half 2002

Figure 20. NP10 and TM10 configuration for OC-192

Figure 21. RCUs and RSFs scaled to OC-192

Figure 22. A Simple, NP-1-Based Solution

Figure 23. Interface Versatility Resulting from use of QX-1

Figure 24. Internal Block Diagram of the IXP2400

Figure 25. The Basic Layout of Internet Machine's "3 Silicon Musketeers"

Figure 26. Internal Block Diagram of Motorola's C-3e

Figure 27. General Layout of Silicon Access' iFlow Network Processing Chipset

Figure 28. How to Make a High Density Cross Connect with TranSwitch Products

Figure 29. A Possible Layout Including the IQ2200 and the GigaStream Switch Fabric

Figure 30. Internal Block Diagram of X10 NPU