Intel announced
two XML
network devices they claim handle secured B2B XML
transactions 50 to 150 times
faster than the traditional solutions.
These two devices (NetStructure
7210 XML Accelerator
and 7280
XML Director) sit
on the
network like routers, but they act on XML B2B transactions
which they analyze, validate, prioritize and
redirect.
These products support (or will support) the principal
B2B XML standards (BizTalk, cXML, CBL and
ebXML) and can be configured on the fly.
This product launch is a double challenge for Intel, who
is not considered as a key player in either the network
or
B2B fields.
The announcement has given rise to concerns
on XML-DEV about the
opportunity to burn XML protocols
into appliances' firmware. One may wonder if it might not
restrict the evolution of current standards and the
birth of new standards, and have consequences in the event
of the discovery of security flaws.