Network processors are aimed at taking the cost out of making networking equipment. Historically, network equipment makers like Nortel Networks designed the chips, software and other components that went inside their boxes. The telecommunications meltdown, however, has forced them to lay off employees by the thousands and slash research and development budgets. "We're tracking about 500 to 600 design wins with network processors," said Linley Gwennap, principal analyst of the Linley Group. The security functions for the IXP 2850 should help make it an attractive offering, he added, because of the heightened concern about security.

"There was a time about 12 to 18 months ago where you and I were the only ones not announcing a network processor," said A.A, "Tad" LaFountain III, an analyst at Needham & Co, "As time goes on and network processor get faster by virtue of Moore's Law, they should be able to pick up more of the market potential.", Some networking executives have said that boxes built with programmable networking chips can't deliver the same level of performance as ones with tailor-made parts, Campbell, though, said the industry has begun to understand how to work with these big sur / california iphone case chips..

"About a year or two ago, there was a bit of a learning curve with network processors," Campbell said. The new chip, which includes two cryptography engines, makes use of technologies acquired by Intel during its massive buying spree from 1998 and 2001. Software originally from Shiva and iPivot will be used to perform many of the chip's VPN functions. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker will consult with customers and help them design equipment through a group acquired from Trillium. The IXA family itself originated from a project at Digital Equipment that Intel picked up in a massive legal settlement in 1997.

The IXP 2850 will cost $725 in volume quantities when it emerges in the second quarter of 2003, while the development tool for the chip, the IXPA 2850, will cost $12,000, The IXP 2800 will cost $425, Intel will also release a new software developer kit and new software for programming the chip, The forthcoming processors are expected to reduce the cost and improve the performance of networking equipment, The company will also delay a similar product that does not offer security features, The IXP 2850, due in the second big sur / california iphone case quarter of next year, will route information packets inside switches and telecommunications servers, but it will also perform intelligent functions such as encryption or decryption, said Matt Campbell, a product marketing manager in Intel's communications division, Currently, these security functions require a co-processor..

Pemble said the Java-powered devices that AT&T Wireless will begin selling are the Nokia 6310, the Motorola T720 and Research In Motion's BlackBerry 5810, which doubles as a phone. The $130 Nokia model includes Bluetooth, a short-range wireless technology. The Motorola T720, which has a color screen, costs $250. The BlackBerry 5810, which costs $300, is available only to AT&T Wireless corporate customers. All of the prices are after rebates for signing a service contract. The carrier plans to launch new cell phones that use Sun Microsystems? software to deliver games and other entertainment.