Interpeak Provides Network-Level Security for Freescale Semiconductor Processors; among the First to Support IPsec for ColdFire Family Of Processors
LEESBURG, Va., and STOCKHOLM, Sweden—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 9, 2004—
Interpeak, a pioneer of Internet and security protocol
solutions for embedded systems, today announced the integration of
Interpeak's IPsec solution and Freescale Semiconductor's ColdFire(R)
and PowerQUICC(TM) hardware security engine controllers (SEC). This
enables reduced costs, as well as unprecedented performance, due to
the SEC's dedicated cryptographic processor.
IPsec is the IETF standard for secure IP communication over the
Internet, and comprises a set of protocols that encrypt and
authenticate all IP packets. IPsec is an obligatory component of IPv6
and is therefore expected to become more prevalent as IPv6 gradually
replaces IPv4. As Interpeak's IPsec resides in the TCP/IP stack, it
may be added transparently to any new or existing embedded
application, ensuring secure networking at the IP level for all
resident applications that communicate over the Internet.
Developers typically use sophisticated encryption algorithms for
security, requiring high levels of processing power. The Interpeak
application leverages Freescale's hardware SEC, leaving bandwidth free
for the processor's CPU to focus on supporting the application, not
its security functions.
"With secure connections quickly becoming a 'must have' for many
of our industrial application customers, their struggle has become how
to provide the necessary security without increasing bill of materials
(BOM) costs, footprint size or processor bandwidth required to process
the security protocols," said Bill Krakar, tools program manager at
Freescale. "An industrial application using Interpeak's IPsec stack,
tuned to fully utilize the hardware encryption engine available in our
new ColdFire-based industrial processors, offloads the encryption
processing from the ColdFire core without requiring a stand-alone
hardware encryption component. This enables the application to run at
essentially full speed without increasing system costs."
"Our initial studies indicate that the combination of IPsec and
the hardware-accelerated encryption available in the Freescale
processors results in an encryption process that is 34 times faster
than a software only process," said Lennert Bang, Interpeak's Vice
President of Engineering.
Like other Interpeak products, Interpeak's IPsec runs on all major
real-time operating systems (RTOSs), such as Linux, INTEGRITY, OSE,
VxWorks, Nucleus, ITRON, and others. It allows developers to add
security to their embedded design at the IP level, thus protecting all
IP based protocols. Additionally, developers may use different levels
of security with IPsec, depending on their applications' needs and the
methods of communication that they require.
The ColdFire MCF548x/7x and PowerQUICC processors integrated with
IPsec are expected to be available later this year. For more
information about Interpeak's IPsec, please visit www.interpeak.com.
About Interpeak
Interpeak provides state-of-the-art networking solutions
specifically designed for embedded systems. Interpeak's products
include various drop-in solutions for networking applications, such as
network storage, edge routers, mobile phones, home access devices,
wireless networks, digital media and others. The company's embedded
networking and security software is currently used in thousands of
applications across the globe. Its customers span the
telecommunications and data communications markets. Headquartered in
Stockholm, Sweden, Interpeak operates through a global network of
distribution channels and has its own sales and field application
force dispersed in strategic locations worldwide, including the USA,
Japan and Europe.
For more information about Interpeak's networking and security
products, please visit www.interpeak.com.
Contact:
Hart-Boillot, L.L.C.
Nicolas Boillot, +1 781-893-0053 ext. 11
nboillot@hartboillot.com
or
Interpeak, Inc.
Mike Klemens, +1 703-779-7955
mklemens@interpeak.com
or
Interpeak AB
Urban Lindegren, +46 8-545-275-87
urli@interpeak.se
