网络处理器的分析与研究

目前,网络在提高链路速率的同时出现了大量的新协议及新服务,而传统的网络设备一般采用专用硬件芯片或者基于纯粹的软件方案,很难兼顾性能与灵活性两方面的要求.为此,一种并行可编程的网络处理器被引入到路由器(交换机)的处理层面.它基于ASIP技术对网络程序处理进行了优化,同时还兼有硬件和软件两种方案的特点.网络处理器的出现将经典的"存储-转发"结构变为"存储-处理-转发",这为复杂的QoS控制和负载处理提供了可能.从网络处理器本身及其应用两个角度出发,介绍了相关的研究工作,分析了系统特点和面临的挑战,并展望其未来的发展方向.

Analysis and Research on Network Processor

Nowadays the most salient trend with network is the increase in data rates while there is significant effort in developing new protocols and services. However, the traditional network devices which are custom logic based or pure software based, could hardly satisfy both performance and flexibility requirements. To overcome this obstacle, the parallel and programmable network processors have been involved into processing path of routers (switch). Besides network processors which are built on ASIP technology and optimized for network applications, possess the characteristic of hardware and software solution simultaneously. Network processors extend the classic store-and-forward pattern to store-process-and-forward, which makes room for complex QoS control and payload processing. In this paper, the related research work is introduced from two aspects, system and application, and the system issues and challenges of network processors are analyzed. In the end, the future evolution of network processors and associate researches are also speculated.