The MB86977 is an LSI that enables processes that previously were handled through software, such as packetdestination transferring and filtering, to be handled through hardware, thereby achieving a full wire speed bidirectional LAN-WAN throughput of 100 Mbps. The IP forwarding can be applied to both IPv4 and IPv6 packets at full wire speed.The Layer 3/4 filtering capabilities enables application of basic security policies, and also makes it possible to build Demilitarized Zones (D.M.Z.) for servers to be accessed directly from the WWW without intervention of software. Out of a total of four MAC interfaces, two are used for internal segments (i.e. LAN0,LAN1), one as a D.M.Z. port, and the remaining as a WAN port. The D.M.Z.interface may be configured as an extra internal segment (i.e. LAN2)if desired. The Layer 2 switch can switch packets from internal segments (LAN0, LAN1 and LAN2) based on their MAC addresses. In addition, real-time applications such as streaming media flows and VoIP streams can be prioritized by the priority control function. The MB86977 offers the ideal solution for superior performance required by network appliances such as broadband routers.