Reports
Earlswood Marketing Limited has completed a significant number of reports covering networking markets and semiconductor components.
These reports are based on interviews with leading vendors. In addition to market and technical analysis these reports include comprehensive tables comparing the features of products currently available.
Heavy Reading Reports
Simon Stanley, Principal Consultant of Earlswood Marketing writes Heavy Reading reports in his role as 'Analyst at Large' Heavy Reading.
ATCA, AMC & MicroTCA Market Update & Forecast — October 2009
ATCA shipments are expected to grow tenfold over the next five years; however, a significant percentage of this growth will come from in-house developments, rather than commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. Together with the smaller MicroTCA platform and Advanced Mezzanine Cards (AMCs), ATCA represents a significant opportunity for service providers, system developers, and component manufacturers alike.
This report expands on earlier ATCA research published by Heavy Reading, adding a breakdown of COTS versus in-house shipments and expanding coverage to more than 500 products (250 new or updated), with analysis of products and strategies for more than 60 vendors and telecom equipment providers. more
10-Gbit/s Ethernet Components: The Market Takes Shape — June 2009
This report delivers a complete competitive analysis of more than 340 different optical modules, 10GE PHY devices, and integrated switches from more than 40 vendors. The report offers insights into the availability of 10GE components and how the overall market for 10GE systems and components is likely to develop in the future. It covers key product features of each 10GE device, including the latest 10GBase-T devices, as well as power, price, and availability for each product. All the main 10GE transponder form factors are covered, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date independent product analysis available for the 10GE components sector. more
Network Processors: A Heavy Reading Competitive Analysis — January 2005
Network processors are no longer niche devices, but rather vital components in a wide range of new networking equipment, from the branch office switch to the network service provider core router. This report delivers a complete competitive analysis of network processors from 16 components vendors, covering more than 80 different products. It provides detailed information on all types of network processors, including 2.5-Gbit/s and 10-Gbit/s network processing units, communications processors, and control-plane processors, covering key product features as well as power, price, and availability. In-depth vendor interviews offer further insights into how this market is likely to develop. more
Heavy Reading's Components Insider Reports
Simon Stanley of Earlswood Marketing has written these reports for Heavy Reading's Components Insider research newsletter.
TEMs Rate Multicore & Network Processor Supplier - April 2010
Multicore processors and NPUs are used in most high-performance networking systems, handling packet processing from less than 1 Gbit/s up to 40 Gbit/s. Telecom equipment manufacturers are developing systems with NPUs that can handle up to 100 Gbit/s. For lower-speed systems, equipment makers can choose from a range of different solutions, including dual/quad-core general-purpose processors, communications processors, multicore processors, and NPUs.
Analyses the current and projected use of multicore processors and NPUs by telecom equipment manufacturers, based on the results of an exclusive worldwide survey of engineers, designers, product managers, and sales/marketing personnel that work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The responses to our survey make it clear that these devices are critical components in many types of networking equipment, from the access edge to the core of the network. more
100 Gbit/s: New Technologies Deliver Bandwidth & Reach - February 2010
Cloud computing, video, remote storage, and other bandwidth-intensive services are driving demand for higher-speed connectivity. Data center and enterprise network managers must replace existing 10-Gbit/s links with 100-Gbit/s links to meet user expectations and business needs. Carriers are upgrading transport links to 100 Gbit/s or more as suitable solutions become available. To meet these needs, equipment providers are developing new systems with 40-Gbit/s and 100-Gbit/s interfaces that cover distances from a few meters to several hundred kilometers.
This report details and analyzes 100-Gbit/s technologies, identifying the key advantages they hold for equipment manufacturers, together with relevant 40-Gbit/s technologies. It also surveys component availability and profiles 25 leading vendors in this growing market. more
ATCA Proves Out as a Product Development Time-Saver - October 2009
ATCA is an ideal platform for a wide range of telecom applications, including 2G/3G wireless infrastructure, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), IPTV, high-availability blade servers, WiMax, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). By using ATCA, equipment providers can significantly reduce time to market and program risk. ATCA is reaching critical mass, which should give confidence to anyone considering this platform for a new development and most leading equipment makers already use ATCA, with many developing multiple new systems on this very flexible platform.
This report reviews the benefits available to network equipment providers from using ATCA, the options available to make or buy, and analyzes the use of ATCA by vendors. The report also surveys system and component availability and profiles 15 leading software and application-ready system vendors in this expanding market. more
MicroTCA: Ready for Prime Time - June 2009
After a short delay, MicroTCA is now set to follow Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) into mainstream adoption. By using MicroTCA, system manufacturers can significantly reduce the development cost and time to market for medium- and high-volume applications. Production-ready MicroTCA systems have been available for more than two years, and the cost of components and systems is dropping with integrated solutions and cost-optimized designs. This report details and analyzes MicroTCA architecture and AMC connectivity, identifying the key advantages these technologies hold for equipment manufacturers. The report summarizes the huge range of AMC modules and details MicroTCA system and component availability with profiles for 19 leading vendors in this expanding market. more
ATCA, AMCs & MicroTCA: 2009 Survey & Market Outlook - April 2009
The Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) ecosystem's continued growth significantly broadens the options available to equipment providers that develop systems based on ATCA, Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) modules, and MicroTCA. This report analyzes the current and projected use of ATCA, AMCs, and MicroTCA by telecom equipment manufacturers, based on the results of an exclusive worldwide survey of engineers, designers, product managers, and sales/marketing personnel that work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers and suppliers. more
Data Center Switching Chips and Technology - January 2008
As data centers have grown, switching has been a mix of standard switches designed for the enterprise and specialist storage networks supporting Fibre Channel. The enterprise switches are typically best-effort Ethernet workgroup switches and modular switch routers with advanced traffic management. To meet the demands of converged data centers, dramatic traffic growth, and cost pressures, new switching solutions are needed that deliver the basic functionality required with lossless transport, low latency, and high bandwidth, all at an attractive price. A new generation of switches developed specifically for the data center is becoming available, and, at the core, they are not custom silicon devices but off-the-shelf merchant switch devices. This report takes the lid off these devices and gives you insight into the different technologies and architectures used and the functions supported. The report includes information and analysis on more than 50 high-speed switch chipsets and devices from 10 suppliers, covering 10GE, PCI Express, InfiniBand, and proprietary switching technologies. more
4G Chips: WiMAX/LTE Technology & Components - October 2008
WiMAX, under development for more than a decade and now growing significantly, has been deployed in many regions as an alternative to wired broadband. Companies are turning to LTE (Long Term Evaluation) and finding that many of the key building blocks are the same as WiMax. This report details and analyzes 4G chips and technologies, identifying the key advantages they hold for equipment manufacturers. It also surveys component availability, reviewing features, performance, and flexibility. The report covers more than 50 baseband and RF devices and modules from 20 vendors, and profiles 20 leading vendors in this rapidly growing market. more
40-Gbit/s Technologies: Lower Costs Will Drive New Demand – August 2008
This report details and analyzes 40/100-Gbit/s technologies, identifying the key advantages they hold for equipment manufacturers. It also surveys component availability, and profiles leading vendors in this growing market. The cost of 40-Gbit/s interfaces is also falling, with semiconductor and optical component vendors introducing new products that deliver better performance and greater integration. Vendors must position themselves and agree on common form factors and electrical specifications because 100-Gbit/s interfaces are on the horizon. This is a demanding market with high development costs, and few vendors can offer complete solutions across the varied technologies. more
PON Components User Survey: 2008 Market Trends – May 2008
Worldwide sales of passive optical networking (PON) equipment continue to grow, with Light Reading forecasting sales of Gigabit PON (GPON) equipment alone to reach $4.7 billion by 2011. The cost of PON equipment is also falling, with semiconductor and optical component vendors introducing new products that deliver better performance and greater integration. This is a very competitive market, with ten or more vendors in each components segment, but few vendors can offer complete solutions across the varied PON technologies. This report analyzes current and projected use of PON components by systems vendors. It is based on the results of an exclusive, worldwide survey of engineers, designers, and product managers who work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers. more
Multicore Processors for High-Performance Network Systems — February 2008
Multicore processors present an exciting new opportunity for network system developers and provide an attractive alternative to the mix of network processors, FPGAs, and control-plane processors used in many network system designs. These devices provide significantly greater flexibility, with packet processing, control functions, and operating system all running on the same device. This flexibility is particularly important for standardized platforms such as Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA), MicroTCA, and IBM BladeCenter, where a single blade may be used in diverse applications. more
10-Gbit/s Ethernet Components: 2008 Market Trends — November 2007
The market for 10-Gbit/s Ethernet components is growing rapidly, with ports expected to exceed 1 million by 2009. This report analyzes current and projected use of 10-Gbit/s Ethernet components by systems vendors. It is based on the results of an exclusive, worldwide survey of more than 240 engineers, designers, and product managers who work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers. more
MicroTCA & AdvancedMC: Delivering on the Promise — August 2007
Key network equipment providers are already developing MicroTCA-based systems for a range of telecom applications, including media gateways and WiMax base stations. MicroTCA is also an attractive platform for many other telecom applications, such as cellular base stations, digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs), next-generation digital loop carriers, and session border controllers (SBCs). Military communications represent a growing application area; plans are in place to use MicroTCA for WiMax-based communication, which will create opportunities in complementary applications such as radar and image processing.
This report details and analyzes the MicroTCA and AMC technologies, identifying key advantages these technologies offer equipment manufacturers. The report also surveys system and component availability including over 80 AMC modules and profiles 29 leading vendors and their products in this growing market. more
High Speed Switching Chipsets — June 2007
The high-speed switch chipset market has undergone significant change over the past three to five years, including vendor consolidation and the emergence of several standardized interfaces, such as 10-Gigabit Ethernet, PCI Express, InfiniBand, and RapidIO. None of these interfaces, however, can meet all the demands for high-performance networking, given 100-Gbit/s bandwidth on the horizon and ever-increasing QOS needs, so there is still a significant need for proprietary switching solutions.
This report analyzes the high-speed chipset sector, providing information and analysis on more than 30 high-speed switch chipsets and devices from 16 different suppliers. The report also includes a competitive analysis of vendor strategies in each high-speed chipset product sector. more
ATCA, AMCs, & MicroTCA: Survey & Market Outlook — March 2007
Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) provides a compelling platform for many telecom applications, allowing telecom equipment providers to quickly develop carrier-grade solutions to support the advanced services their subscribers demand. Leading vendors including Alcatel-Lucent, NEC, Nortel, and Siemens are already shipping ATCA-based systems.
This report analyzes current and projected use of ATCA, AMCs, and MicroTCA by telecom equipment manufacturers, based on the results of an exclusive worldwide survey of 115 engineers, designers, and product managers in the telecom and networking system equipment manufacture industries. more
VOIP Chips: Embedded Voice From Carrier to Handset — January 2007
This report examines the growing market for VOIP-enabled devices and the components manufacturers delivering VOIP-enabling products to carriers, enterprises, and consumers. It explores the capabilities and features of more than 70 devices from 16 different vendors, and also analyzes those vendors' strategic positioning in this market. more
Network Processor User Survey: 2007 Market Trends — December 2006
Network processors are quickly becoming vital components in many telecom and networking systems, as vendors begin shipping second- and third-generation devices. Single devices targeting 2.5-Gbit/s network performance have been replaced by families of devices delivering integration for 1-Gbit/s to 2-Gbit/s applications and high-performance 10-Gbit/s applications.
This report analyzes current and projected use of network processors by telecom systems vendors. It is based on the results of an exclusive, worldwide survey of engineers, designers, and product managers that work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers. The survey, conducted in November 2006, drew responses from 115 professionals representing more than 50 different equipment vendors. more
ATCA & IMS: Reshaping the Telecom Equipment Market — September 2006
The introduction of new platforms and the development of new systems is always a challenge for any equipment manufacturer; new systems and applications are both an opportunity and a risk. By using the Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA), telecom equipment manufacturers (TEMs) can access the opportunity at minimum risk by focusing R&D resources on core application software development and sharing the platform development risk with systems integrators.
This report reviews the key opportunities TEMs see for ATCA across the network including wireless infrastructure, the wireline access network and the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). more
ASICs & FPGAs for Telecom Applications: A Buyer Survey — July 2006
FPGAs provide a flexible solution for many telecom applications; they can be modified not only during system development but also after being deployed in the field. The use of FPGAs significantly reduces time to market by removing the silicon manufacturing cycle associated with ASIC development. FPGA vendors further reduce time to market through the introduction of telecom-specific intellectual property cores and design services.
This report analyzes current and projected use of third-party FPGAs and ASICs by telecom systems vendors. It is based on results of an exclusive, worldwide survey of engineers, designers, and product managers that work for more than 50 major equipment makers, including industry leaders Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Huawei Technologies, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Siemens, and Tellabs. more
MicroTCA: A Small Wonder for Access Networks - April 2006
MicroTCA promises telecom equipment manufacturers the same benefits as AdvancedTCA in a platform that offers significantly lower costs for applications that require lower performance. Key telecom applications for MicroTCA include WiMax, IP PBX, Cellular base stations, DSLAMs/NG DLC, Session border controllers.
This report details and analyzes AMC and MicroTCA architectures, pinpointing the potential advantages that these technologies hold for equipment manufacturers. It also surveys component availability and profiles more than a dozen leading vendors in this emerging sector. more
Sizing Up the PON Market - February 2006
Passive optical networking (PON) continues its move into the mainstream, as telcos look beyond basic broadband services to the provision of voice, data, and video over a single integrated network. The bandwidth required by video on demand and IPTV stretches the capabilities of existing broadband networks. PON provides a scaleable solution that can be used to replace ADSL or to provide a cost-effective backhaul solution for remote VDSL installations.
This report analyzes and compares the main PON technologies, components, and leading suppliers. It includes information on more than 30 components and transceiver products and covers all iterations of PON technology. more
ATCA, AMCs, and MicroTCA 2006 Market Outlook - December 2005
The Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) is having a profound impact on the development strategies of most manufacturers of telecom and networking equipment. Following three years of product development by component and software vendors, systems integrators, and OEMs, the first ATCA-based systems are now hitting the streets, and a huge raft of forthcoming ATCA-based developments will push ATCA from the early-adopter stage into the mainstream over the next year.
Results of a worldwide survey of telecom equipment manufacturers presented exclusively in this report — show just how pervasive ATCA is becoming in OEM product strategies. more
Switching Solutions for AdvancedTCA - October 2005
AdvancedTCA is quickly gaining acceptance as the standardized platform for several wireless and wireline applications. Switching and interconnects have a significant impact on the performance and capabilities of any system and telecom equipment manufacturers developing systems based on AdvancedTCA have a wide range of switching technologies to choose from. This report covers the main ATCA switching technologies, providing analysis of market position, silicon devices, and leading vendors. The report covers products from 13 component manufacturers and all eight ATCA switching technologies including Ethernet and Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, StarFabric, PCI Express/Advanced Switching, RapidIO and Cell Switching. Vendor analyses covers company strategy and products for both high-speed fabric and Gigabit Ethernet base interfaces. more
Silicon for Integrated MSPPs - August 2005
Carriers are seeing unprecedented demand for packet-based services and are extending the life of their existing Sonet/SDH infrastructure using Multiservice Provisioning Platforms. Key to the development of cost-effective MSPP systems are the highly integrated system-on-a-chip devices that have evolved from the Sonet/SDH framer/mapper. This report analyzes more than 30 products from 14 different components vendors that supply chip technology used in Sonet/SDH multiservice provisioning platforms. The report provides a feature-by-feature competitive analysis of silicon products with comparative data including current pricing information, component availability, bandwidth rates, line interfaces supported, and power consumption. more
Archived Reports
Many reports written by Simon Stanley and published by Light Reading are freely available on line.
AdvancedTCA - November 2004
The first Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA) systems are now hitting the streets, and initial indications are that this technology could be a real winner with telecom OEMs and carriers alike. As with many new technologies there is plenty of hype, but in this instance there is already real substance behind the headlines. more
Traffic Managers - May 2004
The traffic management function has traditionally been handled using ASICs designed in-house. With the introduction of third-party traffic managers, at both 2.5-Gbit/s and 10-Gbit/s rates, designers have a very real alternative. more
Next-Gen Sonet/SDH Chips - May 2004
A major focus for new carrier deployment is the delivery of 10/100 Ethernet services through the existing SONET/SDH based access and metro networks. The development of next generation SONET/SDH components is the key to this new opportunity, delivering new services over an existing infrastructure. See Next-Gen Sonet/SDH Chip Survey for more details.
Switch Fabric Chipsets - March 2004
For many network equipment manufacturers the switch fabric has been a core technology and has traditionally been handled using ASICs designed in-house. The requirement for very high speed serial interfaces and multi-service support has increased the cost of design at a time when most companies have been forced to reduce R&D investment. Third party switch chipsets from both established companies and start-ups are now available that are both simple to integrate and support advanced features. more
DSL Chips - December 2003
Digital Subscriber Line standards are continuing to evolve, extending the bandwidth in the last mile: ADSL has been joined by ADSL2 and ADSL2+; there are 2 competing technologies for VDSL; and, finally, there is HDSL. A range of chipsets from both startups and industry heavyweights support these DSL technologies. As work continues on interoperability testing, the first chipsets to support multiple technologies are being developed. more
10-GigE Transponders: Update - November 2003
The arrival of XFP transceivers from both startups and established vendors opens the door to higher density, cost effective 10Gbps solutions for Enterprise, Metro and Storage networks. more
10-Gig Network Processors - September 2003
The Network Processor has now become established as a key building block, both for development of new, leading edge systems and the enhancement of existing products. Many companies with NPU based solutions are entering production and prices are starting to come down. more
PHY Chips - April 2003
Interest is growing in the PHY chips that will play a key role in all systems from network interface cards to full-blown 10 Gig Ethernet switches. more
GFP Chips: Making Sonet Ethernet-Friendly - March 2003
Generic Frame Protocol (GFP), Virtual Concatenation and LCAS gives carriers the opportunity to handle Ethernet traffic without replacing their metro SONET/SDH networks. more
10-Gigabit Ethernet - March 2003
Now that 10-Gigabit Ethernet standards have been put to bed, it’s time to put the technology to work. more
Security Processors and Systems - February 2003
To meet the demands of network security OEMs are rolling out products that no longer force network operators to trade off speed against security. These products use high performance security processors addressing SSL and Ipsec applications. more
Packet Switch Chipsets - February 2003
The switch fabric has been a core technology and has traditionally been handled using ASICs designed in-house. Third party switch chipsets from both established companies and start-ups are now available that integrate SerDes and QoS. more
Traffic Manager Chips - October 2002
Traffic managers ensure a Carrier’s customers get the service they pay for. Traditionally implemented in ASICs, this function is now available at 2.5 Gbps and above in standard products. more
Network Processors - August 2002
Network processors hold the promise of delivering flexibility and performance. Established vendors are consolidating design wins in the 2.5 Gbps market and companies are introducing 10 Gbps devices. more
10 Gig Ethernet Transponders - August 2002
10 Gigabit Ethernet is set to be a key technology in next generation telecom equipment driving the need for hot pluggable, multi-sourced optical transponder modules. more
Next-Gen SONET Silicon - June 2002
The build out of the Metro network is driving demand for next-gen SONET/SDH silicon supporting GFP, Virtual Concatenation and LCAS. more
