The MACsec-IP-160 is a versatile MACsec solution for silicon devices that require plug-and-play MACsec processing for an Ethernet port at full line rate. It provides classification, transformation and statistics for the IEEE0802.1AE standard MACsec. Additionally, it supports VLAN-in-clear use cases. The IP-160 is available in numerous configurations optimized for desired throughput range and number of secure connections. Supplied with software support, the MACsec-160 is the ideal solution for Ethernet PHYs, switches, automotive and 5G SoCs, broadband access chipsets and many other Ethernet-connected applications.
How the MACsec-IP-160 works
The MACsec-IP-160 engine provides complete MACsec processing for a port. It contains a flexible classifier with a table of programable rules with the programmable actions. The transformation engine supports all features and ciphers of the standard MACsec and VLAN-in-clear extension. The processing results are reflected in the MACsec-compliant statistics as additional non-standard counters. MACsec-IP-160 offers optional post-decryption consistency checking with a set of programmable rules.
The MACsec-IP-160 engine is a basis for building various use cases. Beside traditional point-to-point and point-to-multipoint use cases, it is also deployed in protecting carrier networks with bypass/drop/protect policy that is controlled per VLAN EVC.
The MACsec-IP-160 can be used in combination with external classifier and accepts secure channel pointer or packet bypass indication.
Integration
The MACsec-IP-160 engines offers flexibility on integration into the customer’s Ethernet subsystem. It can be used as a FIFO-like component, or a fixed-latency engine with a push interface.
Customers can implement MACsec processing with IEEE1588 timestamping in the Tx MAC (unencrypted PTP) as well as timestamping ahead of the MACsec (supporting both – encrypted and encrypted PTP).
To implement fixed-latency mode at egress direction, Rambus offers the Rate-Control-IP-218, a programmable module that shapes the traffic according to line rate and accounts the MACsec added header/trailer.
