A configurable, QoS-aware Ethernet L2+ switch optimized for access networks

Traditional Ethernet based local area networks are increasingly visible in the access arena. Fast Ethernet (FE) and Gigabit Ethernet (GE) switches for standard enterprise LAN lack admission control, bandwidth monitoring, rate shaping and access control mechanisms making them unsuitable for widespread access deployments. This paper presents the industry's first, configurable Ethernet 'switch-on-a-chip' from Infineon Technologies (PLB2800), which offers advanced configurability, bandwidth management, security and an on-chip RISC CPU for switch management. PLB2800 can operate in 8GE, 32GE+4FE and 48FE+2GE modes to fit into a variety of access networks.