Overview

Developing a new system or product is always a challenge. It might seem daunting to look at the broad range of interfaces and accelerators the Intel IXP4XX silicon and software provides. You could then feel further overwhelmed by the range and combinations of choices you have in powerful real-time operating systems (RTOSs), software stacks, and third-party vendors. However, we have already helped a number of companies bring successful products through design to high-volume production. These products are now in use in homes, offices, factories, and telecommunications infrastructure around the globe. You might even use a product powered by an Intel IXP4XX Network Processor on your next visit to a coffee shop.

Our goal in this book is to provide you with the kind of practical knowledge you need to design and ship your own products using this proven technology.

Whether you are looking to use the series of IXP4XX network processors to build a USB-powered virtual private network (VPN) dongle, a wireless-enabled voice-over-IP (VoIP) access point, an industrial controller, or a communications line card, this book is your guide. The IXP4XX product line excels in a large range of applications, supports a plethora of integrated networking interfaces, and provides enough headroom and processor cycles to enable your high-performance software designs.

The IXP4XX designation represents all of the processors in the IXP4XX product line, which includes the IXP420, IXP421, IXP422, IXP423, IXP425, IXP455, IXP460, and IXP465. The information contained in this book applies to all these network processors,...