A bonus feature unique to ZNYX Networks OpenArchitect® switches is Packet Vectoring. Packet Vectoring refers to the ability of the switch to send packets port to port using any information within the packet. This enables load balancing, security monitoring, and many other applications that would otherwise not be possible. Because the silicon handles the real-time decision making, all packet vectoring happens at full line rate without restrictions. The OA/PV implementation uses the familiar Linux iptables control interface to implement packet vectoring rules. With very little learning curve, network technicians can configure packet vectoring subsystems that eliminate the need for expensive external load balancing or network processing systems.

OA/PV version 2.0 includes the following features:

• Line Rate Operation: The only limitation of the performance of the overall application is the speed at which the incoming media can operate, or the aggregate performance of the server blades. The packet distribution structure is not a limiting a factor.


• Independent Port and Filtering Specification: All operational parameters, such as ingress and egress port numbers, IP addresses of service blades, etc. are specified in a configuration file. The filter rules descriptions are specified in a separate file, facilitating the use of the same rule sets on multiple switches.


• Flexible Packet-Matching Criteria: By defining the matching portion of iptables and/or tc rules in a user-modifiable file, the full capability of iptables and tc packet matching facilities as supported by OpenArchitect® is available to OA/PV.


• Configuration in Clear Text: Configuration data and filter rules specification may be created or modified with a simple text editor or processed by a program.


• Light-weight Script Architecture: By building on top of OpenArchitect® iptables and tc with only basic shell scripts, the user can customize the operation of OA/PV in any way desired.


• High Availability: Provides automatic fail-over in the event of a switch/hub failure.


• N-1 Fault Tolerance: Enables applications to be highly available in the event of a server blade failure.

OpenArchitect/PV is included with the following ZNYX products:

• ZX6000 Series
• ZX6200
• ZX7000 Series
• ZX7100 Series
• ZX7200
• ZX7250
• ZX7300
• ZX1900 Ultra5™ Platform
• ZX2000 Ultra5™ Platform