List of defunct network processor companies

During the dot-com/internet bubble of the late 1990s and early 2000, the proliferation of many dot-com start-up companies created a secondary bubble in the telecommunications/computer networking infrastructure and telecommunications service provider markets. Venture capital and high tech companies rushed to build next generation infrastructure equipment for the expected explosion of internet traffic. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

It has been estimated that dozens of start-up companies were created in the race to build the processors that would be a component of the next generation telecommunications equipment. Once the internet investment bubble burst, the telecom network upgrade cycle was deferred for years (perhaps for a decade). As a result, the majority of these new companies went bankrupt. ^[4]

As of the mid‑2020s, significant shipments of network processors are being made by major players such as Cisco Systems, Broadcom, Marvell Technology Group (which now includes Cavium Inc.), Intel Corporation, and Qualcomm Technologies. ^[5]

OC-768/40Gb routing

• ClearSpeed – left network processor market, reverted to supercomputing applications
• Propulsion Networks – defunct
• BOPS – left network processor market, reverted to DSP applications

OC-192/10Gb routing

• Terago – defunct
• Clearwater Networks – originally named Xstream Logic, defunct
• Silicon Access – defunct
• Solidum Systems – acquired by Integrated Device Technology
• Lexra – defunct
• Fast-Chip – defunct
• Cognigine Corp. – defunct
• Internet Machines – morphed into IMC Semiconductors, a PCI-Express chip vendor
• Acorn Networks – defunct
• XaQti – acquired by Vitesse Semiconductor, product line discontinued

OC-48/2.5Gb routing

• IP Semiconductors – defunct
• Entridia – defunct
• Stargate Solutions – defunct

Gigabit Ethernet routing

• Sibyte – acquired by Broadcom, product line discontinued
• PMC-Sierra – product line discontinued

OC-12 routing

• C-port – acquired by Motorola (now Freescale), product line discontinued
• IBM – PowerNP product line discontinued
• Sitera – acquired by Vitesse, product line discontinued

Access products

• Netargy – defunct
• Ishoni Networks – defunct
• HyWire – defunct

VOIP products

• Silicon Spice – acquired by Broadcom, product line discontinued
• Malleable Technologies – acquired by PMC-Sierra, product line discontinued

Traffic managers

• Extreme Packet Devices – acquired by PMC-Sierra, product line discontinued
• Azanda Network Devices – acquired by Cortina, product line being sold as CS53xx family
• Teradiant – defunct
• Orologic – acquired by Vitesse, product line discontinued
• Maker Communications – acquired by Conexant, product line discontinued

Packet classifiers

• SwitchOn – acquired by PMC-Sierra, product line discontinued
• FastChip – defunct

Switch fabrics

• Abrizio – acquired by PMC-Sierra, product line discontinued
• Stargen – left networking market for computer server market

Security products

• Chrysalis-ITS – defunct

References

1. "Dot-com Bubble & Bust | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica Money". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
2. "Looking at the crisis 25 years ago to understand the current risk of a bubble in the AI field". www.coinlive.com. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
3. Team, MOI Global Editorial (2025-03-18). "Parallels Between the Hyperscalers and the Telecom Firms of the 1990s". MOI Global. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
4. EETimes (2003-01-27). "Network processors fail to break out of niche". EE Times. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
5. Alpert, Bill. "The AI Wave Is More Than Nvidia. Cisco, Broadcom, and More Stocks Will Benefit". barrons. Retrieved 2025-11-06.