Network Processor Principles, Design, and Applications

Author: Shi Jinglin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: One of the main advantages of a network processor is its stability. In the communications industry, stability seems to be rare, and every aspect of the scheme, from formulation to final adoption, needs to be completed in a short period. For example, the maximum value that can be obtained from the convergence of voice and data depends on the establishment of the QoS process. Of course, QoS parameters cannot be fully determined quickly. The network processor (NP) is a dedicated instruction processor designed for network application domains, and at the same time, it is a software-programmable chip. As an emerging network technology, it is in a period of rapid development. This book is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the design principles and standard specifications of network processors. First, the development history of NP is introduced; then, general network standards and their applications are briefly described, along with their key features; next, the technical requirements and existing solutions for IP packet processing are explained; then, the core functional modules of network processors are introduced; finally, the work of the network processor standardization organizations and the standards that have been developed—such as the Stream Interface Application Protocol, the Co-processor Component Interface Standard LA-1, and the Network Processor Software Program Interface Protocol—are introduced, and an analysis of existing network processors and their features is provided, along with a prediction of the development trends of NP. The second part of the book focuses on the IXP1200 as the core. It provides a detailed introduction to the main applications. The target readers of this book include product development and design personnel related to network processors, senior undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, and researchers in information-related fields in higher education institutions, as well as researchers in research organizations.