PMCS (MM)

Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems and PMC-Sierra, Inc. (NASDAQ: PMCS), the premier Internet infrastructure semiconductor solution provider, today announced successful interoperability of IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) at the 2010 ISPCS Plug-fest, held September 27-28 at the UNH-IOL. Ixia's timing over packet (ToP) test solution is the first and only in the industry to evaluate the functionality, conformance, and performance of IEEE 1588v2 and Synchronous Ethernet implementations on telecommunication network equipment. PMC-Sierra's PM5422 META 20G Carrier Ethernet/OTN physical layer device's timing was validated and confirmed during the test.

Data traffic growth is far outpacing voice traffic in the network, forcing carriers and service providers to replace legacy TDM networks with packet technologies that expand their networks, lower costs, and efficiently deploy new services. However, the set-up and delivery of critical services such as mobile voice and real-time multi-media streaming video requires synchronization of network elements -- which is not supported by native packet networks. In all-packet and data-aware networks, clock synchronization once handled by TDM physical layer protocols must be replaced with timing over packet (ToP) protocols to reliably deliver carrier grade services. IEEE 1588v2 Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) and ITU-T G.8264/Y.1364 Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) provide the required accuracy for time-sensitive data traffic. PMC-Sierra has implemented both timing protocols within its META 20G product, and provides the industry's first truly universal solution for 10 Gbps interfaces.

PMC-Sierra is using Ixia's ToP test solution to validate the conformance and performance of its IEEE 1588v2 and SyncE implementations at extreme scale -- ensuring deployments can achieve timing support for an entire network segment. Using a multi-dimensional test strategy, Ixia simulates real-world network conditions in a controlled lab environment so that each chip, device, or multi-device system can be tested at scale in a reliable and repeatable manner. This enables the industry to test and verify compliance to the timing standards, and stress test the system to performance extremes.

Key Facts:

• IEEE 1588v2 and SyncE technology can be used to synchronize clock frequency across devices in the Ethernet backhaul network and significantly improve clock accuracy and stability satisfying the timing requirements of mobile voice subscribers (i.e., from +/-100ppm (parts per million) to +/-4.6ppm.
• Ixia's solutions tests conformance, interoperability, functionality, and performance of all aspects of Carrier Ethernet implementations. Test interfaces support 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps Ethernet operation.
• PMC-Sierra's PM5422 META 20G is a feature-rich, single chip solution that provides two OTU2, 10 GE LAN, 10 GE WAN or SONET/SDH OC-192c/STM-64c interfaces and is designed for service provider routers, Carrier Ethernet switches, enterprise WAN, and Packet Optical Transport Platforms (P-OTPs).
• In a recent Infonetics survey of global service providers, 100% of respondents claimed to be deploying IP/Ethernet backhaul in 2010.
• 65% of polled service providers plan to move to a single IP/Ethernet backhaul.

Supporting Quotes:

• "PMC-Sierra and Ixia have worked together to demonstrate interoperability and deployment readiness for synchronous packet networking, a critical requirement in enabling carriers' packet and optical convergence strategy in metro networks," said Babak Samimi, director of marketing from PMC-Sierra's Communications Products Division. "Proven interoperability enables carriers to confidently evolve their networks to scalable packet/OTN topology, while maintaining the service quality and reliability in delivering mission critical and revenue generating services like mobile backhaul, video distribution, and cloud services."
• "Although 1588v2 has been standardized, this is a significant protocol with many features and options left to each vendor's discretion," said Tara Van Unen, market development manager at Ixia. "Interoperability and performance testing is required to insure that products from different vendors will work together to provide end-users with realistic scaling numbers."

Resources:

• For more information on Ixia and its timing solutions, please its solution page at http://www.ixiacom.com/solutions/mobile_backhaul/index.php.
• For more information on PMC-Sierra and its META 20G solution, please visit http://www.pmc-sierra.com/products/details/pm5422/.

About Ixia Ixia is a leading provider of converged IP performance test systems and service verification platforms for wireless and wired infrastructures and services. Ixia's test systems are used by network and telephony equipment manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers, service providers, governments and enterprises to validate the performance and reliability of complex networks, devices and applications. Ixia's multiplay test systems address the growing need to test voice, video and data services and network capability under real-world conditions.

About PMC-Sierra PMC-Sierra®, the premier Internet infrastructure semiconductor solution provider, offers its customers technical and sales support worldwide through a network of offices in North America, Europe, Israel and Asia. PMC-Sierra provides semiconductor solutions for Enterprise and Channel Storage, Wide Area Network Infrastructure, FiberTo The Home, and Laser Printer/Enterprise market segments. The Company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol. For more information, visit www.pmc-sierra.com.

Ixia and the Ixia four-petal logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Ixia. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

PMC and PMC-SIERRA are registered trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. in the United States and other countries, PMCS and "Enabling connectivity. Empowering people." are trademarks of PMC-Sierra, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.