Abstract: Packet processing is the heart of most networking equipment. The network processor (NP) promises the ability to perform packet processing with the flexibility of a microprocessor but with the performance of a dedicated ASIC. In this paper, we survey common architectural features of most commercially available NPs. The NP is a programmable processor optimized to perform packet processing at wire rates in networking equipment. It is a classic tradeoff in the continuum of programmable processors verses dedicated hardware.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-11-13
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 16
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot