These seem to be actual chips. Anyone know of companies selling Crypto apps
for Network processors? If so, which is deemed more secure by
Cypherpunks...software apps on network processors or outboard chips? (Am I
correct in assuming that a crypto app on a network processor is not any
easier to view or examine that a crypto ASIC?)
-TD
Motorola Locks Down Chips
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Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - message board) has become the latest vendor to
integrate security into its microprocessors, continuing the trend of putting
encryption acceleration on-chip.
The company announced eight new varieties of its PowerQuicc processors
today, grouped under the family names MPC885 and MPC8272. Four of the eight
include security. Specifically, Motorola is enhancing some of its PowerQuicc
chips with the encryption functions found in its S1 line of security
co-processors, which the company introduced in 2000. (see Motorola
Processors Integrate Security ).
The idea is to speed up security processing. Encryption involves doing math
with unusually large numbers, a task that can bog down a general-purpose
processor. So, several companies, including Cavium Networks Inc., Corrent
Corp., and Hifn Inc. (Nasdaq: HIFN - message board), have developed
specialty hardware for the task. These chips are often called co-processors,
as they're meant to sit alongside a microprocessor.
Naturally, processor companies believe they can further speed things up --
and save OEMs a bit of money -- by merging the co-processors into their own
chips. Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM - message board), Integrated Device
Technology Inc. (IDT) (Nasdaq: IDTI - message board), and PMC-Sierra Inc.
(Nasdaq: PMCS - message board) are adding security to their microprocessors;
and Agere Systems Inc. (NYSE: AGR.A) and Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC - message
board) have done the same with some of their network processors (see Vendors
Add Security to MIPS Chips and Intel Moves on Security ).
PowerQuicc tends toward a lower-end market than those processors, however.
The product line, consisting of a few dozen chips, spans applications from
access modems to edge-network equipment.
In addition to the usual speed and cost arguments, Motorola is hoping to
gain an edge from its greater experience with ATM and Ethernet. "We can
attack kind of the next-generation security processors," says Matthew Short,
head of security applications for Motorola's networking and computing
systems group.
The integration trend doesn't necessarily mean the end of co-processors.
Motorola and Broadcom plan to continue selling their co-processors. And
Short notes that chips such as Corrent's will continue to serve high-end
applications, where integration becomes too cumbersome.
"Corrent's kind of a different beast. It's pretty high-end. We even
recommend them to go with C-Port," he says, referring to Motorola's line of
network processors.
The new PowerQuicc chips are due to begin sampling next month, with volume
production slated for the second quarter of 2004.
— Craig Matsumoto, Senior Editor, Light Reading
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- Re: Motorola Security Chips Tyler Durden
- Re: Motorola Security Chips Thomas Shaddack