The core software technology of the ZX7100 goes far beyond simple Ethernet switch management. As a full-featured embedded Linux distribution, OpenArchitect supports user applications running in the industry-standard Linux environment. From the point of view of the technician, an OpenArchitect switch appears as a stand-alone Linux system with all the familiar tools and utilities. Users that know how to configure Linux networking systems can become proficient with an OpenArchitect switch within minutes.

A significant advantage of OpenArchitect is its ability to use any routing protocol stack that runs in the Linux environment. The standard release of OpenArchitect includes the gated daemon, which drives OSPF, RIP, EGP and BGP. Other protocol stacks, open-source or proprietary, may be easily re-compiled with no source code changes to run on OpenArchitect. Other embedded switch architecture solutions require customization of routing code to a proprietary API. Only OpenArchitect uses Linux open APIs, enabling true transparency and flexibility for network architecture integration.

One of the ways in which the ZX7100 with OpenArchitect expands the envelope is its ability to do line-rate packet classification from layer 2 through layer 7. This feature can often eliminate the need for an expensive external security device by providing IP filtering capability, or it can manage traffic by assigning specific packets to different VLANs, Classes of Service, or separated for special processing. As with other features of OpenArchitect, the interface to program the packet classification uses familiar Linux commands.

The advanced OpenArchitect 3 packet classification feature may be used to implement load balancing, where packets are distributed among ATCA blades based on their content. This feature enables true scalability for ATCA applications, and can be adapted according to any user-set policy. The switch silicon handles the distribution of packets at full line rate, giving the ZX7100 a significant advantage over processor-based load-balancing schemes.

To support larger applications, the ZX7100 includes a CompactFlash socket that can support a FlashROM device or a micro disk drive, in addition to the embedded processor's Flash ROM. This feature can be used to manage software upgrades, or provide bulk storage for system logs and other purposes. For security, the CompactFlash cannot be removed without removing the ZX7100 from the ATCA chassis.

The front panel of the ZX7100 includes a USB socket that enables inexpensive, industry-standard expandability. Any Linux compatible peripheral device may be used for a variety of application enhancements, such as one-step upgrades and inline diagnostics.

For applications that use rear-panel I/O, the ZX7100 may be used with an RTM. Up to six in-band Ethernet channels are provided, as well as two out-of-band RS-232 ports and two out-of-band 10/100 Ethernet ports.

The ATCA Zone-3 connector of the ZX7100 provides full connectivity for the ATCA backplane clock, which permits the implementation of a chassis backplane clock feature. A custom RTM may host a hardware-based clock generator to meet any ATCA-compatible specification that requires telco-grade clock synchronization.

OpenArchitect HA Suite features transparent port-to-port, VLAN-to-VLAN and switch-to-switch rapid failover. With the OpenArchitect High Availability (HA) software suite, the chassis can respond and automatically correct any single point of failure.