IBM—PowerNP Network Processor

Network processors support the complex packet processing functions at media speed. The chapter describes the IBM PowerNP NP4GS31 network processor. PowerNP essentially provides wire-speed packet processing and forwarding capability through a set of programmable embedded processors and co-processors with a multiplicity of high-bandwidth embedded and external memories. Co-processors operate in parallel with processors and perform functions that are computationally intensive to perform. PowerNP also provides the basis for a wide range of solutions from a low-end stand-alone system to a large multirack system through an external switching fabric. It is noted that PowerNP can be used in the traditional switch or router equipment as well as in the emerging applications for the server and storage equipment. It supports scalable traffic engineering functions or security features. PowerNPs provide data plane packet processing functions. A separate, external general-purpose processor (GPP) such as an IBM PowerPC provides control plane and system management functions and acts as the CP for the whole system.