Date: 19/10/2010

NetLogic's knowledge-based processor decides1.6 billion times per second

NetLogic Microsystems has introduced the NL10k knowledge-based processors for IPv6 systems. The NL10k is designed to be manufacture using 40nm semiconductor process tech. NL10k can decide1.6 billion times per second.

Knowledge-based processors can perform Layers 2 - 4 network processing such as classification, security and forwarding at higher speeds are required in order to support this migration from IPv4 to IPv6 network architechture. The NL10k knowledge-based processor integrates 128 high-performance knowledge-based processing engines, and includes an enhanced Intelligent Load Balancing Engine (ILBE). The knowledge-based processing engines and ILBE are tightly coupled with integrated advanced Sahasra Algorithmic Engines (SAEs) to reduce power consumption of search processing. The NL10k processor features Range Encoding Engine (REE), which employs advanced one-hot and fence encoding algorithms to implement range encoding that allows customers to effectively double the efficiency of performing port range inspection, an integral part of packet classification. The NL10k knowledge-based processor offers up to 150Gbps of I/O bandwidth and supports 256,000 IPv6 addresses or 1 million IPv4 addresses.

"Our new NL10k processors offer our customers a seamless upgrade path for their existing ASICs and NPUs to deliver IPv6 performance in 40nm power profile," said Chris O'Reilly, vice president of marketing at NetLogic Microsystems. "The emergence of LTE and IPv6 has dramatically increased our customers' need for knowledge-based processors with greater performance and larger database capacities, all in a smaller thermal footprint. The NL10k knowledge-based processor is ideally suited to address this need."