Intel surges ahead with launch of chip

Vendor announces scheme to fund product development.

Intel has unveiled plans for a networking chip family and the creation of an equity fund to aid companies developing products around the technology.

At its annual developers' forum in Palm Springs last week, the vendor said the range - based around its Internet Exchange Architecture (IX), would help the networking and communications industry build faster, intelligent networks.

Company officials claimed that the IX architecture, which uses an open standards-based design, allows systems designers to add network functionality quickly and cost effectively. The technology is a result of Intel's recent acquisitions of Level One Communications, Softcom Microsystems and Digital Semiconductor.

As part of the launch, Intel is introducing a developers' toolkit to help facilitate product design and enable equipment suppliers to provide post-sale product enhancements for their customers.

Capabilities such as wire speed voice, video and data services can be added to existing equipment by reprogramming the processor.

Mark Christiansen, vice president and general manager of the Network Communications Group at Intel, said the chip vendor had set up a $200m equity fund that would initially be used to invest in companies developing IX-based systems and software.

"The growth of the internet and ebusiness requires faster deployment of high bandwidth equipment and greater flexibility to support emerging internet technologies and services within the network. IX will help customers deliver faster, smarter networks on internet time," he said.

A number of companies have announced support for the architecture, including Cisco, Cabletron and Newbridge Networks.

Intel also recently unveiled Notebook versions of the Pentium III/mobile, manufactured using 0.18 micron process technology.

Frank Spindler, vice president of the mobile division at Intel, said that the chip, due to be shipped in the autumn, will be released at speeds of up to 500MHz.

But he told delegates at the forum that the power saving feature Geyserville would not be incorporated into PIII/mobile parts until processor speeds matched those of desktop chips.

Spindler admitted that the PIII/mobile had arrived later than expected: "We did not hit our most aggressive schedule."

He added that Intel was considering releasing future notebook chips which would allow its partners to configure notebook machines.