Network Processors in Telecom Applications

By Per Lembre, Xelerated

A new generation of network processors (NPUs) is now available.  Like most new generations, these devices have more features and are faster, more powerful, and easier to use than their predecessors.  They can greatly reduce the cost of implementing Carrier Ethernet switching and routing, as well as other high-speed networking tasks. 

NPUs have had a checkered history. Early projections of their widespread use did not pan out for many reasons, ranging from programming difficulties to economic slowdowns and lower than expected build-up of customer demand. Many large vendors dropped their NPU lines when markets failed to materialize. However, the demand for high-speed networking has increased recently due to such disparate factors as larger numbers of broadband and wireless data customers, heavy business and personal use of video, more sophisticated and faster changing security threats, implementation of IP and Ethernet-everywhere networks at all levels, and network-centric financial trading. 

NPUs have already played a major role in the quick build-out of Metro Ethernet infrastructure and the migration of packet data functionality into transport equipment. New telecom equipment players, particularly Asian vendors, have leveraged merchant silicon to enter the Metro Ethernet market. All major Carrier Ethernet players use merchant NPUs in at least some of their platforms.

The new generation of merchant NPUs has the following improved capabilities:

• 100Gbps single-chip processing: With 10GbE, 40GbE and soon 100GbE available, the need for raw processing capacity is growing rapidly. Many social networking sites need 100GbE today and as demand continue to increase they are hoping to see Ethernet go terabit sooner rather than later.

• Integrated traffic managers that simplify the development of line cards for shaping business and residential services.

• Ethernet traffic interfaces that reduce overall system costs by eliminating the need for additional chips.

• More flexible memory options with built-in SRAM and TCAM.  Systems can then interface low-cost, optional external DRAM, SRAM, and TCAM for high scalability.

• Much lower power dissipation per megabit, typically one-tenth of the previous generation. This enables higher port densities and green networking, as well as avoiding the need for expensive cooling options and more racks.

Today’s 100G merchant NPUs are supported by powerful programming tools enabling vendors to develop customized solutions. Vendors can use them as stand-alone processors or as co-processors to remove high-speed networking tasks from standard multicores. High-density NPU versions can be used to implement router line cards supporting 400G, while cost-optimized options can support LTE/PTN mobile backhaul applications and Ethernet access solutions.

The latest generation network processors are also applied to other contexts. They perform line rate packet processing on server and security blades with deep packet inspection. They provide real-time data transfers and help service providers to offer high-speed mobile backhaul. In the era of everything over IP, the new network processors offer the capabilities to keep up with the increased demands facing packet-switched networks.

Per Lembre is Director of Product Marketing at Xelerated. You can reach him at per.lembre@xelerated.com.