Based on Cavium CN1010 and CN1120 Gigabit hardware encryption acceleration, the Niagara 2352 PCI Express internal Gigabit secure bypass encryption network interface cards (NICs) promise to improve the throughput of inline Internet security appliances, WAN acceleration systems, gateways, and network servers. Reportedly, the NICs improve network-appliance performance by independently executing encryption tasks. An onboard Cavium CN1010/CN1120 VPN accelerator boosts total system throughput by processing high-level IPsec and IKE, IPv6, SSL security protocol macro commands to reduce host I/O traffic and offload the system processor. Other features include an Intel 82546 controller, programmable close or open while in the power off state, a programming-independent mode to function as a dual Giga bit copper card, and two PHYs for 10/100/1000 Mb/s full- and half-duplex operation. For more details, call INTERFACE MASTERS TECHNOLOGIES, San Jose, CA. (408) 456-2545.
