NetLogic Enhances Alcatel’s 7670 Routing Switching Platform
In a move that strengthens Alcatel’s position as a leader in converged IP/MPLS networks, NetLogic Microsystems has confirmed it will supply high‑performance data plane solutions for the 7670 Routing Switching Platform (RSP). The 7670, a flagship product in Alcatel’s portfolio, is designed to deliver multiple services over a unified infrastructure, and the partnership with NetLogic brings a new level of speed and flexibility to its routing and switching functions.
NetLogic’s contribution focuses on the data plane, the part of a network device that actually forwards packets. By integrating NetLogic’s ASIC‑friendly modules, the 7670 can perform rapid lookups in routing, ACL, and security tables. This capability translates into faster packet classification, tighter policy enforcement, and more efficient IPv4 and IPv6 forwarding. The result is a system that can handle heavier traffic loads while still maintaining the strict QoS guarantees that carriers demand for differentiated services.
When the 7670 launched, its architecture already promised high availability and resilient MPLS handling. NetLogic’s additions reinforce those promises by adding dedicated search engines for MPLS label switching paths (LSPs) and for VPN table lookups. The hardware modules are engineered to work seamlessly with Alcatel’s custom ASICs, ensuring that every hop through the device remains fast and predictable. For operators that need to support bursty traffic or low‑latency services such as real‑time voice and video, this tight coupling between software and hardware is a critical advantage.
Beyond raw speed, the NetLogic solution brings advanced security features to the table. The data plane can perform real‑time checks against updated security databases, allowing operators to block malicious traffic before it reaches the core. It also supports dynamic policing and shaping, which means administrators can enforce traffic limits on a per‑class or per‑user basis without needing to reconfigure complex ACLs. This agility is especially valuable in environments where services must be provisioned or revoked quickly, such as in a virtual private network or a shared campus network.
Alcatel’s 7670 RSP is already capable of handling 10 Gbps of wire‑rate IP traffic thanks to its high‑capacity line cards. NetLogic’s modules complement this by offering software‑defined controls that let carriers reallocate bandwidth on demand. With the ability to modify an existing LSP’s bandwidth without breaking the path, network managers can scale services in real time. This feature is a major selling point for carriers that need to meet SLAs while also adapting to sudden traffic spikes.
The partnership extends beyond a single product launch. NetLogic and Alcatel previously collaborated on the 7301 Advanced Services Access Manager (ASAM). That earlier project set a foundation of trust and technical alignment, making the 7670 integration smoother. NetLogic’s team worked closely with Alcatel’s hardware designers to ensure that the data plane modules fit neatly into the existing chassis and that firmware updates could roll out without interrupting service. As a result, the 7670 can deploy the new features with minimal operational overhead.
Martyn Humphries, Vice President of Marketing at NetLogic, praised the collaboration. “We’re delighted that a global telecom leader like Alcatel has chosen to build on our data‑plane expertise,” he said. “Our solutions bring unmatched performance to the 7670 RSP and the 7301 ASAM, and together we’re delivering devices that are ready for today’s traffic demands and tomorrow’s innovations.” The quote underscores the confidence both companies have in the product’s ability to meet the high standards required by carrier networks.
For operators, the immediate benefit is a more reliable and scalable network. By leveraging NetLogic’s ASIC‑friendly modules, the 7670 can maintain high throughput even as the number of service types and customer demands grows. The combination of fast lookup engines, built‑in security checks, and dynamic QoS controls positions the 7670 to support next‑generation services such as 5G backhaul, edge computing, and large‑scale content delivery with ease. In practice, this means fewer packet drops, lower latency, and smoother end‑user experiences across all services.
From a deployment perspective, the integration has already shown positive results in pilot environments. Operators who trialed the updated 7670 reported a 30% reduction in packet processing time for MPLS LSP lookups and a noticeable improvement in VPN throughput. These metrics translate directly into higher customer satisfaction scores and lower operational costs, as fewer resources are needed to handle the same traffic volume. The data plane modules also support zero‑touch provisioning, which cuts down the time required to add or modify services by a significant margin.
In short, the collaboration between NetLogic Microsystems and Alcatel is a win for carriers looking to future‑proof their networks. By combining Alcatel’s proven chassis architecture with NetLogic’s high‑performance data‑plane technology, the 7670 RSP delivers a robust platform that can adapt to evolving service demands while keeping performance and reliability at the forefront. Whether you’re running core routing, MPLS VPNs, or enterprise edge services, the enhanced 7670 provides the tools to handle today’s traffic volumes with confidence and to grow without needing a wholesale hardware replacement.
Broadening the Portfolio with NetLogic’s Glueless Solution for Alcatel 7301 ASAM
The 7301 Advanced Services Access Manager (ASAM) is another high‑profile platform in Alcatel’s lineup, and NetLogic’s recent glueless solution brings a fresh set of capabilities to this already powerful device. The glueless module was designed to interface directly with Alcatel’s AMCC Network Processors, eliminating the need for custom glue code. This simplifies development and accelerates the time to market for new features.
At its core, the glueless solution provides a fast, granular policy engine that enables administrators to enforce rules based on user privileges and application types. By supporting multiple network processors, the solution scales across the 7301’s multi‑node architecture. Network managers can set up traffic policing to control the maximum rate of data sent or received on each interface. That policing also allows the segmentation of traffic into distinct priority levels or classes of service (CoS). The result is a network that can reliably deliver voice, video, and data without compromising quality.
Another advantage of the glueless approach is automatic MAC address learning and aging. In environments where users connect and disconnect frequently - such as campus or enterprise settings - this feature reduces manual configuration overhead. The network can dynamically map devices to their appropriate ports, ensuring that access remains secure and that resources are used efficiently. For carriers deploying DSL or fiber services to small and medium‑enterprise customers, this automation translates into quicker roll‑outs and lower operational expenses.
Security is built into the glueless solution through an integrated policy engine that checks each packet against a set of rules. The engine supports advanced ACLs and can enforce security policies at line rate. This means that malicious traffic is identified and dropped before it reaches downstream devices, improving overall network resilience. For operators that need to meet strict compliance standards - especially in regulated industries - the ability to enforce policies at the edge is essential.
The solution comes bundled with a suite of firmware and management software, including the Advanced Table Management Algorithm (TMA). The TMA handles dynamic updates to routing tables, ensuring that changes propagate quickly across the 7301’s distributed architecture. Combined with built‑in billing support, the TMA allows carriers to capture usage data in real time, enabling accurate invoicing and usage‑based pricing models.
Deploying the glueless solution on the 7301 also enhances the platform’s flexibility. The 7301 is capable of delivering up to 10,000 simultaneous users, supporting a wide range of broadband entertainment services such as online gaming, streaming music, and pay‑TV. With the glueless module, operators can more easily configure new services or modify existing ones. For example, a carrier could add a new video‑on‑demand offering to a bundle without re‑engineering the entire platform.
The hardware’s Gigabit‑Ethernet interface further supports evolution toward efficient aggregation of Ethernet Metro Area Network (EMAN) services. By bundling the glueless solution with the MR48 line card - which supports 2.4 Gb/s of wire‑rate IP, MPLS, and ATM forwarding - carriers can create a unified service stack that covers both legacy and modern traffic types. This unified stack reduces the complexity of managing multiple line cards and protocols, simplifying both the engineering and maintenance sides of operations.
From a performance standpoint, operators have seen measurable improvements after integrating the glueless solution. In a recent field trial, the 7301’s packet classification throughput increased by nearly 40% when the new policy engine was enabled. Traffic policing also improved, with jitter values dropping by 15% on high‑priority video streams. These gains are critical in environments where customer experience is directly tied to packet delivery times and where service quality must be strictly maintained.
One of the most compelling aspects of the glueless solution is its zero‑touch provisioning capability. Operators can deploy new features via firmware updates without having to access each device individually. This feature is especially valuable in geographically dispersed deployments, such as a carrier’s nationwide DSL rollout. By pushing updates remotely, carriers can roll out new services or patches in a fraction of the time it would take to do so manually.
Because the 7301 is positioned to serve both consumer and enterprise markets, the glueless solution also offers a future‑proof path for scaling services. As data traffic grows, carriers can increase capacity by adding more line cards or by upgrading existing ones. The solution’s compatibility with a broad range of protocols - including IP, MPLS, and ATM - ensures that new services can be added without re‑architecting the core network.
Overall, NetLogic’s glueless solution extends the 7301’s already impressive feature set, delivering faster, more secure, and more flexible service delivery. By simplifying development, reducing operational overhead, and improving performance, the solution supports operators who need to keep pace with evolving consumer demands while maintaining high service quality and reliability. For carriers looking to expand their broadband offerings or improve existing services, the 7301 with the NetLogic glueless module provides a solid foundation for growth and innovation.
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