2013/1/31 - Cavium Announces Project Thunder Software Development Platform for Cloud and Data Centers

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cavium, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAVM), a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor products that enable intelligent processing for networking, communications and the digital home, today announced the availability of Project Thunder software development platform kit (SDK). Project Thunder is a family of 64-bit ARM®v8 processors targeting next generation energy efficient cloud and data center markets.

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Project Thunder provides a scalable family of 64-bit ARMv8 processors incorporated into a highly differentiated SoC architecture optimized for cloud and datacenter applications. The family of SoCs will integrate high-performance compute, networking, security, storage along with targeted workload application acceleration and high-speed industry standard IOs. Project Thunder processors will provide significantly better price, performance and power value proposition over alternative solutions for target applications.

The Project Thunder SDK offers a full Linux operating system, toolchain and example applications that will enable ISVs and programmers to start distributed-computing development on the latest 64-bit ARMv8 architecture. Middleware such as enterprise application and data integration and messaging can be ported. Full applications like web frontends LAMP and Memcached can be supported and scaled across a massive number of virtual machines.  Data center and cloud management applications can be ported to setup cloud workloads with multiple application tiers with dynamic provisioning and on-the-fly upgrade ability.

The Project Thunder SDK provides programmers access to an array of cache coherent 64-bit ARMv8 CPU cores, Interrupt Controller, Network connectively, Mass storage interface, Timers, SMMU and console. All device drivers and utilities required for the Project Thunder platform components are included. The SDK also includes a cross development platform enabling programmers to write their own applications or build third party packages for Project Thunder. In addition, the SDK includes a UEFI compliant firmware which is used to boot OS images.

"Cavium is a leading processor vendor with over a decade of experience in successfully delivering high performance, high-core count 64-bit multicore processors that are being used by Tier-1 system providers to build best-in-class solutions," said M. Raghib Hussain, CTO & Corporate Vice President Software, Cavium. "Project Thunder SDK will jump start the transition of cloud and datacenter workloads to next generation, high performance, low power Project Thunder 64-bit ARMv8 SOCs from Cavium."

Availability: 
The Project Thunder SDK is currently available for selected partners. Application programmers interested in access can apply for access by completing the form at: http://www.cavium.com/thundersdk_access_application.html

ARM is registered trademark of ARM Limited

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States and other countries.

About Cavium  
Cavium is a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor products that enable intelligent processing in networking, communications and the digital home. Cavium offers a broad portfolio of integrated, software compatible processors ranging in performance up to 100 Gbps that enable secure, intelligent functionality in enterprise, data-center, broadband/consumer and access & service provider equipment. Cavium's processors are supported by ecosystem partners that provide operating systems, tool support, reference designs and other services. Cavium's principal offices are in San Jose, California with design team locations in California, Massachusetts, India and China. For more information, please visit: http://www.cavium.com

Note on Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions and current expectations. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to Cavium's ability to design, develop, manufacture, assemble and test Project Thunder products and technologies; Cavium's ability to forecast market demand, future technological developments and implementation factors for Project Thunder products, including the Project Thunder SDK; Cavium's ability to penetrate new product markets; competition in performance, price and other product factors in Cavium's current and future product markets; whether Cavium is successful in marketing its products; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about these and other risks that may impact Cavium's business are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2012. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and we assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Cavium, Inc.