A Guide to Network Processors
Tenth Edition

     
Table of Contents
       
 

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List of Figures
ix
List of Tables
xi
About the Authors
xi
About the Publisher
xiii
Preface
xvii
Executive Summary
xix
 
 
Chapter 1.   Introduction to Carrier Networks
1

        Network Types and Topologies

1

             Metro-Area Networks (MAN)

1

             Wireline Access

3

             Wireless Access

4
        Equipment Types
4

             Metro Platforms

5

             Wireline Access Infrastructure

5

             Wireless Access Infrastructure

7
Chapter 2.   Carrier-Network Technology
9

        Network Layers and the OSI Model

9
        Network Protocol Details
13
        Carrier Ethernet Services
21
        Packet-Processing Pipeline
22
        Network and I/O Interfaces
29
Chapter 3.   Network Processors
35
        What Is a Network Processor?
35
        Common Characteristics
36
             Microarchitecture Variations
37
             Fixed-Function vs. Programmable
38
             Line and Fabric Interfaces
39
             Memory Interfaces
40
             Host Interface
41
             Software Considerations
41
Chapter 4.   Market Size and Trends
43
        Market Size and Segmentation
43
        Market Share By Vendor
45
        Market Forecast
46
        Market and Technology Trends
48
             OEM-Proprietary NPUs
48
             Carrier-Ethernet Requirements
49
             Broadband Access
49
             3G and 4G Wireless Backhaul
50
             Vendor Programming vs. Customer Programming
51
             Chassis and Board Standards
52
Chapter 5.    Bay Microsystems
53
        Company Background
53
        Key Features and Performance
54
        Internal Architecture
55
        System Design
57
        Product Roadmap
59
        Conclusions 
59
Chapter 6.    Broadcom
61
        Company Background
61
        Key Features and Performance
62
        Internal Architecture
63
        System Design
64
        Product Roadmap
66
        Conclusions 
66
Chapter 7.    EZchip
69
        Company Background
69
        Key Features and Performance
70
        Internal Architecture
71
        System Design
73
        Development Tools
75
        Product Roadmap
75
        Conclusions 
76
Chapter 8.   LSI
79
        Company Background
79
        Key Features and Performance
80
        Internal Architecture
81
        System Design
83
        Development Tools
85
        Product Roadmap
86
        Conclusions 
86
Chapter 9.   Netronome
89
        Company Background
89
        Key Features and Performance
90
        Internal Architecture
91
        System Design
93
        Development Tools
94
        Product Roadmap
95
        Conclusions 
95
Chapter 10.   Wintegra
97
        Company Background
97
        Key Features and Performance
98
        Internal Architecture
100
        System Design
102
        Development Tools
104
        Product Roadmap
105
        Conclusions 
106
Chapter 11.   Xelerated
109
        Company Background
109
        Key Features and Performance
110
        Internal Architecture
111
        System Design
114
        Development Tools
115
        Conclusions 
116

Chapter 12.    Other Vendors

119
        AMCC
119
             Company Background
119
             Key Features and Performance
120
             Design Details
122
             Conclusions
123
        Centec
124
             Company Background
124
             Product Overview
124
             Conclusions
126
        Cswitch
126
             Company Background
126
             Key Features and Performance
127
             Design Details
128
             Conclusions
129
        Hifn
129
        Intel
130
        Lightstorm
131
             Company Background
131
             Product Overview
132
             Conclusions
133
        Mindspeed
134
             Company Background
134
             Product Overview
135
             Conclusions
136
        Tpack
137
             Company Background
137
             Product Overview
137
             Conclusions
139

Chapter 13.   Comparing NPUs

141
        10Gbps-and-Below NPUs
141
             Key Differentiators
144
        20Gbps-and-Above NPUs
145
             Key Differentiators
149

Chapter 14.   Conclusions

151
        Vendor Outlook
151
        Market Directions
155
 
 
Appendix: Further Reading
157
Index
159

 

       
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