Intel IXP400 manual How to Use this Document, About the Processors, Chapters Description

Intel® IXP400 Software

Introduction

1.4How to Use this Document

This programmer’s guide is organized as follows:

Chapters	Description
Chapters 1 and 2	Introduces the Intel® IXP400 Software v2.0 and the supported
	processors, including an overview of the software architecture.
Chapters 4 through 22	Provide functional descriptions of the various access-layer
	components.
	Describe the memory buffer management and operating system
Chapter 3 and 24	abstraction layers, needed for a more in-depth architectural
	understanding of the software.
Chapter 23 and 25–27	Describe codelets (example applications), ADSL driver, I2C driver, and
	endianness.

For the developer interested in a limited number of specific features of the IXP400 software, a recommended reading procedure would be:

1.Read Chapters 1 through 3 to get a general knowledge of the products’ software and hardware architecture.

2.Read the chapters on the specific access-layer component(s) of interest.

Note: Many of the access-layer components have dependencies on other components — particularly on IxNpeDl and IxQmgr. For that reason, developers also should review those chapters.

3.Review the codelet descriptions in Chapter 23 and their respective source code for those codelets that offer features of interest.

4.Refer to the API source code and source code documentation found in the software release documents folder as necessary.

1.5About the Processors

Next-generation networking solutions must meet the growing demands of users for high- performance data, voice, and networked multimedia products. Manufacturers of networking equipment must develop new products under stringent time-to-market deadlines and deliver products whose software can be easily upgraded. The IXP4XX product line and IXC1100 control plane processors family is designed to meet the needs of broadband and embedded networking products such as high-end residential gateways; small to medium enterprise (SME) routers, switches, security devices; DSLAMs (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers) for multi- dwelling units (MxU); wireless access points; industrial control systems; and networked printers.

The IXP4XX product line and IXC1100 control plane processors deliver wire-speed performance and sufficient “processing headroom” for manufacturers to add a variety of rich software services to support their applications. These are highly integrated network processors that support multiple WAN and LAN technologies, giving customers a common architecture for multiple applications.

With their development platform, a choice of operating systems, and a broad range of development tools, the processor family is supported by a complete development environment for faster time-to- market. This network processor family offers the choice of multiple clock speeds at 266, 400, 533 and 667 MHz, with both commercial (0° to 70° C) and extended (-40° to 85° C) temperature options.

April 2005	IXP400 Software Version 2.0	Programmer’s Guide
20	Document Number: 252539, Revision: 007