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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  • Viper96720 - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Hope a 754 version of the sli capable board is made. Woldn't mind getting the board and a 6600GT. Then getting the second 6600 later on. Since I got an 754pin cpu already. Guess I know what I want for Christmas.
  • swatX - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    drool!!!!!!!!!!
  • ViRGE - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    #17, there is no Soundstorm, it's a figment of everyone's imaginations. Nvidia has already stated with the nForce 3 that they really aren't interested in doing another advanced sound solution (in part due to Creative's purchase of Sensaura, I'm sure), so there's no reason to really harp on them.
  • Rys - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    NDA has yet to expire on nForce4 (5.5 hours early at the time of posting this).
  • Davediego - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    What happened to SoundStorm2? Why isn't audio even mentioned in this article other than 1 line in the basic feature table on pg7? This is a major feature many many enthusiasts have been waiting for, and if it doesnt exist in nforce4 why is anandtech not harping nvidia for it?
  • allnighter - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Not trying to be rude, but there is an abundance of good articles on nVidia's SLi that will help better understanding and answer many of the questions asked here.
    #15 I believe each card will load textures for the part it will render and the driver will handle that load on the fly.
  • Kovie - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Probably a stupid question but does anyone know if in SLI mode the system has to keep two separate copies of textures in video memory (each card has the same textures loaded) or if they can just keep it on one card and make two 128mb cards into a 256mb?
  • Doormat - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Is that SATA 3Gb/s real SATA II? I remember seeing something about switches that allow 4 drives to hook into 1 sata 2 port. Is that a feature NF4 supports?
  • xsilver - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    A little off topic.. but why doesn't intel bring out 1066 products now? my year old northwood is already running 1000 fsb...
  • GhandiInstinct - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - link

    Roger that, also can the SLI or Alienware have Agp also? Will the N4 have agp?

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