ActiveArmor: nVidia Secure Networking Engine

nVidia's on-chip Gigabit Ethernet is a popular feature of the nForce3-250 chipset. This was combined with the hardware based nVidia Firewall on all but the basic 250 chipset. On-chip Gigabit Ethernet and the hardware firewall are still a significant part of the nForce4 chipset, and all of the nForce4 chipsets feature both. However, nVidia has expanded the Network Security features in the Ultra and SLI chipsets to provide further protection against network attacks.

The new network security features are called ActiveArmor, which are implemented as a dedicated hardware engine for the nVidia hardware Firewall.



nVidia's ActiveArmor enhances nVidia Firewall performance in several ways to protect from network attacks:
  • Dedicated hardware engine enhances networking security while reducing CPU overhead
  • Specialized features defend against hacker attacks
  • User-friendly interface offers advanced management features
  • Supports new Microsoft TCP Chimney Architecture for fast and secure networking
A hardware solution was chosen instead of a software solution to minimize CPU utilization. Software firewalls and software firewall management can consume up to 75% of CPU overhead.



This compares to about 10% CPU overhead with the nVidia ActiveArmor hardware solution, which handles most of the network security management in the nForce4 chipset.



SLI Performance 3Gb/s SATA
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  • Zac42 - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    I think that it has to be two Nvidia cards with an SLI connector. You are thinking of the alienware video array, which theoretically can use two different branded cards.
  • GhandiInstinct - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Wesley,

    So in SLI, I can put any two video cards together? No matter the spec difference or maker difference? New and old? Future and past?
  • microAmp - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    I take it the SLI benchmarks from nVidia were done at about 1600 x 1200 resoultion?
  • Wesley Fink - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Kris -
    Anand and I got some hands-on time with the SLI system while we were visiting nVidia. The benchmarks we ran confirmed the numbers reported for the 6800 Ultra single and SLI. The test system was an Asus SLI motherboard with a 4000+ CPU. While we did not personally run benchmarks with the 6600GT SLI or the 6800GT SLI we have no reson to doubt nVidia's numbers based on what we did confirm.

    The Reference board is NOT SLI, which is why SLI testing was limited to our time with nVidia.
  • KristopherKubicki - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    #6 those are NVIDIA's benchmarks, not actual 3rd party confirmed benchmarks.

    Kristopher
  • Wesley Fink - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    #2 and #4 -
    SLI Performance tests are in a table on page 3. Two 6600GTs don't outperform a 6800 Ultra, but they do outperform a 6800 GT.
  • ksherman - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    #4, from what ive heard, it is probablyh likely that two 6600GTs would definetly cream the 6800 ultra. I do agree that we need some SLI benchies!!!
  • ariafrost - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    *Drool* Anyone know how much of a performance boost would come from SLI yet? I'm wondering if two 6600GTs would outperform a 6800 ultra.
  • glennpratt - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Page 2

    "While nVidia was not ready to ship nForce4 SLI reference boards for review, they were demonstrating a major manufacturer's nF4 SLI board with a pair of nVidia 6800 Ultra video cards. We also got to play with the SLI system with an Athlon 64 4000+ CPU, confirming benchmarks that were supplied by nVidia."
  • Jincuteguy - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    why didn't anand did any SLI performance test? i thoguht this board suppose to have SLI.

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