Freescale speeds embedded multicore adoption with VortiQa software products

AUSTIN, USA: To address challenges threatening to slow industry adoption of embedded multicore technology, Freescale is introducing a comprehensive, solution-based approach to help networking and communications customers speed and simplify their migration to multicore processors.

Central to this new approach is VortiQa software from Freescale –- tested, proven, production-ready application-level software specifically optimized to unleash the industry-leading performance of QorIQ and PowerQUICC processors. Freescale has launched the first four VortiQa product lines targeted at the service provider, enterprise, small business and SOHO/residential market segments.

VortiQa software, together with an expansion of Freescale’s world-class ecosystem, offers the company’s customers the solutions required to realize the performance and energy-efficiency benefits of advanced multicore processors. For example, VortiQa software for enterprise network equipment leverages Freescale hardware acceleration technology to provide up to 10x VPN performance in security-enabled network equipment compared to non-optimized solutions, while dramatically reducing development time.

"VortiQa software is about helping our customers innovate and win with technology that boosts silicon performance and dramatically speeds time-to-market," said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Networking & Multimedia Group. “VortiQa products offer our customers distinct competitive advantages by unlocking the vast potential of today’s highly advanced embedded multicore processors.”

Freescale is providing flexibility and choice for vertical networking markets with a solution-based approach that combines VortiQa software with QorIQ platforms, PowerQUICC processors and joint collaborations with a range of well-respected industry partners. The recent addition of several top independent software vendors, original design manufacturers and systems integrators to Freescale’s broad community of third party partners further extends the availability of solutions based on Freescale silicon.

VortiQa software
A large portion of the time required to develop products based on embedded multicore processors is spent on testing and optimizing application software. VortiQa solutions speed development by providing fully integrated, architecturally compatible application software that eliminates or greatly reduces the time needed for these tasks.

VortiQa software is optimized to take full advantage of Freescale’s QorIQ processor technology, including pattern matching engine, security accelerator, datapath acceleration and other features, thereby boosting performance in embedded systems. It eliminates the time-consuming task of creating application-optimal mapping of functionality and core assignments for asymmetric multi-processing (AMP), symmetric multi-processing (SMP) and hybrid AMP+SMP configurations.

With the launch of VortiQa software, Freescale introduces four product lines targeting key markets:

* VortiQa software for service provider equipment leverages hybrid software architecture and delivers high performance in both throughput and session processing for data plane applications. Example applications include routers and switches, metro carrier edge routers, UTM devices and IMS controllers.
* VortiQa software for enterprise equipment uses SMP-based software architecture and delivers scalable performance across multiple cores. Example applications include SSL and IPSec firewalls, UTM devices, converged media gateways and access gateways.
* VortiQa software for small business gateways uses either AMP- or SMP-based software architecture, delivers complete functionality for small business gateways and is performance-tuned for specific PowerQUICC silicon. Example applications include branch office routers and multi-service business gateways.
* VortiQa software for SOHO/residential gateways targets low-end gateways with additional capabilities for provisioning by service providers. Example applications include broadband routers and digital home gateways.

“With its new VortiQa software and expanded third party ecosystem, Freescale has assumed a leadership role in helping the embedded networking market overcome key multicore software challenges,” said Linley Gwennap, founder and principal analyst with The Linley Group. “There are significant market opportunities for silicon vendors offering the expertise, technology and resources necessary to speed and simplify embedded multicore product development.”

Freescale’s solution-centric approach and VortiQa software products utilize the technology and talent obtained through the October 2008 acquisition of Intoto, Inc., a leading provider of software products for networking and security equipment manufacturers.

Freescale combined its PowerQUICC and QorIQ processors with Intoto’s broad, application-based products built on modular, scalable software architecture, as well as the deep multicore software engineering expertise of both companies.

Ecosystem expansion
Freescale has expanded its world-class ecosystem of partner alliances and plans to provide its partners with software, training, support and communications platforms to offer comprehensive solutions for specific vertical segments.

Freescale’s expanded ecosystem includes:

* Hardware and JDM/ODM partners, including Advantech and Flextronics, to provide turn-key manufacturing, fulfillment and pre-build hardware manufacturing.
* OS, tools and development solutions partners, including Green Hills Software, MontaVista and Virtutech to provide development tools, operating systems and BSP support.
* Independent software vendors (ISVs), including 6WIND, Dimark Technologies, D2 Technologies, Mocana and Synology America, to provide software applications, stacks and related services in specific vertical segments. These products and services can be delivered either independently of, or integrated with, Freescale VortiQa software.
* Systems integrators, including Aricent, GDA Technologies and Patni Computer Systems, to provide product development, integration and professional services capabilities.

Freescale’s VortiQa software products are available on QorIQ, PowerQUICC II Pro and PowerQUICC III communications platforms and are offered now under commercial license from Freescale.