A Platform for Emerging Network Applications | |
The computational demands placed on high throughput network devices are both growing and changing. Demands are growing due to exponential increases in network line rates, while demands are changing because consumers and ISPs require increasingly sophisticated methods for managing and defending their resources. To meet these demands a new architecture is required, one that can provide worst-case throughput guarantees, can be easily programmed to handle a variety of next-generation network applications, and that can operate under tight power constraints. This is necessarily different than a traditional processor which is optimized to provide low-latency operation in the average case. Handling high-speed links requires that fast data plane algorithms, packet buffering, and security analysis can all be performed in a programmable yet high-concurrency manner. The NimbleNP research project aims at developing an architecture for backbone and high-throughput edge routers that is a feasible and affordable alternative to custom ASICs. Our approach is three fold - we focus on a solution that integrates novel network algorithm optimizations, computer architecture design, and the development of new network applications. | |
Code and HDL Releases
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