Network processing challenges and an experimental NPU platform [network processor unit]

The fast-changing communications market requires high-performance yet flexible network-processing platforms. StepNP/spl trade/ is an exploratory network processor simulation environment for exploring router applications, multiprocessor network-processing architectures, and SoC tools. Supporting model interaction, instrumentation, and analysis, the platform lets R&D teams easily add new processors, coprocessors, and interconnects.