Zarlink Unveils New Packet Switching Platform Targeting Advanced Access Services over Ethernet

Zarlink's full-service Layer 2 Ethernet switch family consists of devices with a wide range of features and Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet port options. The platform is being designed into IP-DSLAMs (digital subscriber line access multiplexers), media gateways and FTTU (fiber-to-the-user) network equipment.

Ethernet switching used in new applications is rapidly replacing more expensive technologies. For example, service providers are migrating to IP- DSLAMs from ATM-based DSLAMs, while VoIP is superseding traditional analog telephone service. Ensuring higher-quality services over Ethernet demands more intelligent networking equipment capable of efficiently prioritizing and processing high volumes of time-sensitive voice and multimedia traffic while supporting different classes of service.

"Ethernet is now transporting much more than data," said Bill Lee, product line marketing manager, Zarlink Semiconductor. "Our new full-service Ethernet platform integrates advanced QoS and traffic management features that enable unrestricted transmission of the network's most critical traffic."

Leading QoS architecture

Zarlink's new Ethernet switches are based on an architecture that integrates industry-leading QoS and traffic management features to ensure voice, multimedia and control traffic receives precedence during network congestion conditions.

Packets entering the device are classified to a flow based on rules using information such as source, destination or application in addition to standards-based priority schemes. The architecture supports per flow two rate, three color metering and per class policing. Packets are scheduled using algorithms, such as SP (strict priority) and WFQ (weighted fair queuing), to manage and prioritize queued traffic. Precise rate control down to 64 kbps granularity on both ingress and egress ports allows network operators to more precisely control traffic through their network.

Additional traffic flow classification features allow operators to better manage service level agreements and access control. Using multiple classification fields, network operators can precisely monitor network traffic, ensure packets are forwarded to specific ports, specify transmission and dropping priorities, and keep their networks secure.

Hardware-based fast failure detection and recovery

Zarlink's full-service Ethernet switching platform features patent- pending, hardware-based failure detection and recovery mechanisms that enable real-time detection and recovery of link failures to improve overall network and subscriber-service reliability. Failed links are quickly detected and traffic is automatically switched to a back-up link or redistributed over a trunk in less than a microsecond. In comparison, competing devices may require from one hundred milliseconds up to several seconds to register network errors.

Support and availability

Zarlink's entire packet switching family is supported by one common software architecture that operates over telecommunications and enterprise networks, allowing customers to easily migrate to next-generation devices and speed their time-to-market.

The company's new packet switching platform is sampling with lead customers and will be released for sale later this year. For more on Zarlink's Ethernet switching family, visit http://packetswitching.zarlink.com/

About Zarlink Semiconductor

For over 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The Company's success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, consumer and ultra low-power communications, and high-performance analog. For more information, visit http://www.zarlink.com/ .

Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge, copies of the Annual and Quarterly Reports - including the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Regulatory Authorities - should visit the Company's web site at http://www.zarlink.com/ or contact investor relations.

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the following: increasing price and product/service competition by foreign and domestic competitors, including new entrants; rapid technological developments and changes; the ability to ensure continuity of supply from outside fabrication services; changes in environmental and other domestic and foreign governmental regulations; protection and validity of patent and other intellectual property rights; exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations; the ability of the Company to attract and retain key employees; demographic changes and other factors referenced in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2004 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 24, 2004. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in those filings.

Zarlink, ZL, and the Zarlink Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.

CONTACT: Zarlink: Ed Goffin, Media Relations,
613 270-7112, edward.goffin@zarlink.com; Zarlink Europe: Simon Krelle,
Pinnacle Marketing Communications, 44 (0) 7973 821036,
simonk@pinnacle-marketing.com