Cavium, MontaVista partner to speed VPN performance

Cavium, MontaVista partner to speed VPN performance
WAYNE, N.J. — Security processor vendor Cavium networks is partnering with embedded Linux OS provider MontaVista to develop an integrated platform the companies claim will deliver a two- to three-fold performance boost for VPNs.

Under terms of the deal, Cavium will develop a mini-PCI card that couples its Nitrox Lite CN501 security processor that can be embedded in VPN boxes housing MontaVista's Linux package and Intel's IXP4xx network processor. In return, MontaVista is integrating drivers for the Nitrox Lite processor into its Linux Professional Edition software.

According to the companies, the combined product achieves 150 Mbit/s of IPSec performance. The combined solution can also be used for accelerating voice over IPSec, SSL and 802.11i wireless LAN security processing.

The mini-PCI board is available now with IXP4xx drivers and application programming interfaces for version 2.1 and 3.0 of MontaVista's Linux package. The mini-PCI card is priced at $64.50 in 10,000-unit quantities.