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NP-1c Network Processor

10-Gigabit Network Processor with Integrated Search Engines

 

The NP-1c is EZchip's second generation network processor based on its NP-1 which was first introduced in April 2002. Unlike other network processors which require external devices for classification, namely CAMs and SRAMs, the NP-1c is based on EZchip's TOPcore® architecture, eliminating the need for any of these classification components. NP-1c based solutions require only four low-power, low-cost DRAM chips for classification. Since the bit density of a DRAM chip is 30 times higher than that of a CAM chip, while its power dissipation and cost per bit are approximately 280 times and 1000 times lower respectively, NP-1c dramatically reduces the total system chip-count, power and cost.

 

Furthermore, network equipment based on NP-1c gains an extended time in market by the extensive headroom made available through the use of DRAM. New applications that often require more and larger lookup tables are supported through software updates only, without requiring the addition of any new hardware.

 

NP-1c's flexible layer 2-7 processing makes it the ideal choice not only for main stream applications such as L2, MPLS, IPv4 and IPv6 for the metro, edge and core, but also for processing-intensive layer 7 products such as web switches, storage gateways, firewalls and other content aware devices.

 

NP-1c uses a simple single-image programming model with no parallel programming nor multi-threading. Synchronization among the processor's internal resources and maintaining frame ordering is performed in hardware and is transparent to the programmer. An optimized instruction set, comprehensive development environment and library providing source code for several applications, ensure short and simple programs and a fast time to market for NP-1c-based products.

 

NP-1c is targeting a wide range of market segments including multi 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet, OC-192, 4 x OC-48 and 16 x OC-12, all with a single-chip. NP-1c supports multi 1-Gigabit configurations through its SPI4.2 interface with 16 channel granularity, enabling support of up to 16 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports through an Ethernet aggregator. A choice of CSIX and XGMII switch fabric interfaces allows scaling NP-1c based systems to thousands of ports.

NP-1c is manufactured with IBM's leading CU-11 0.11 micron process and is shipping in production quantities.

The NP-1c Difference

EZchip's NP-1c network processor presents significant advantages to system vendors designing next generation networking equipment:

  • Single-Chip Full-Duplex Solution with Embedded Search Engines - delivers wire-speed systems with flexible processing and classification to reduce overall chip count, power dissipation and cost of alternative solutions. Eliminates the need for expensive CAMs and SRAMs.

  • Content Aware Processing - enables programmable layer 2-4 switching and routing with granular flow classification and layer 5-7 deep packet processing for content switching, TCP off-loading, security and traffic analyzing.

  • Single Image Programming - includes auto sync and control for simple programming and reduced time to market.

Interfaces

NP-1c features choice of standard compliant interfaces to enable glueless interoperability to variety of complementary components from third-party vendors. Illustrated below are the NP-1c interfaces:

NP-1c is configurable with a choice of link interfaces:
  • One SPI4.2 interface with 16 channels to an external Ethernet aggregator for 10/12/16x1GE ports, or framer for SONET/SDH interfaces
  • One 10-Gigabit Ethernet port with an integrated MAC

A standard CSIX interface provides connectivity to a switch fabric for scaling of NP-1c based systems to thousands of ports.

 

A second 10-Gigabit Ethernet port with an integrated MAC provides for stand-alone box solutions. In this mode, NP-1c can be used as an aggregator of multiple 1GE ports to 10GE, a 'bump in the wire' for processing 10GE traffic to 10GE or OC-192 SONET.

 

A PCI interface is used for interconnection to a control CPU and standard DDR SDRAM is used for external memory.

Applications

Platforms based on the NP-1c can be programmed to deliver L2 and MPLS switching, IPv4 and IPv6 routing, packet tunneling, flow classification, access control, QoS and policing, as well as flexible packet payload manipulation for a variety of applications. Sample code for various solutions is available.

 

EZchip's 7-layer processing provides full layer 2-7 parsing, classification and modification capabilities. It enables advanced services that rely on fine-grained flow classification, URL matching, per-flow state updating and more to be implemented simply through software running on the network processor.

 

Its wire-speed and 7-layer processing make NP-1c ideal for a wide range of applications.

 

Line cards in modular chassis: Stand-alone pizza box solutions:
  • Edge and Core Routers
  • Metro Ethernet and SONET/SDH Switches
  • Enterprise Core Switches
  • 3G Aggregation Routers
  • Storage Switches
  • Load-balancing, Content and Storage Switches
  • Network Probes and Analyzers
  • Firewalls

Illustrated below are several sample solutions:

 

10G Ethernet Line Card: High-speed Services Card:
   
Channelized OC-192 Line Card: 16-port 1G Ethernet Line Card:
   
2-port 10GE 'bump in a wire': Aggregation of 16 1-Gigabit ports to 10G Ethernet:

 

> Contact us for more product information.

 

 

 

NP-1c Product Brief

 

NP-1c photo