The Crossbeam X-Series Security Platform uses a patent-pending architecture that consists of the chassis -- X45 and X80 -- and three hardened components: the Network Processor Module (NPM), the Control Processor Module (CPM), and the Application Processor Module (APM), and is powered by X-Series Operating System (XOS™) software.

One key XOS software innovation is “secure flow processing” which offers the ability to logically sequence flows from one virtualized instance of a security application to another. Secure flow processing enables security policy sequences to occur on a virtual plane, as if, for example, switches, load balancers, and patch cables were all physically installed
between an intrusion prevention service and a firewall. Multiple security services and racks of networking equipment can be consolidated into a single chassis -- saving power, space, and time.

Additionally, the X-Series virtualizes security applications on a pre-hardened operating system that is dynamically applied to any APM, along with security applications and configuration data. Thus, it can easily scale for virtualized clustering and application redundancy, and enables single box high availability with self-healing.