Network Systems Design Using Network Processors

by Comer

Acknowledged computer networking expert Douglas Comer has authored the first-ever textbook on networking processors. Dr. Comer offers both professionals and advanced students comprehensive instruction on how to design and build network systems using the latest network processor technology. This unique text explains the software and hardware architectures used to implement the Internet, including switches, routers, bridges, NAT boxes, firewalls, intrusion-detection systems and load balancers. Significant Focuses on how to build network systems Discusses the motivation for and use of network processor technologies Provides an overview of network processor architectures Examines programming languages used with network processors and includes tested network processor code Offers course notes and supplemental materials at The site, which is managed by Robert Dusek, contains all the program examples from the text as well as a set of course notes for professors. In addition, I invite network processor vendors to submit example code for their chips. In particular, I encourage each vendor to show how the example system from Chapter 26 is implemented on their network processor. I thank the many individuals and groups who have helped with this text and deserve credit. Agere, IBM, and Intel provided network processor hardware and software for my lab at Purdue. Chris Telfer worked tirelessly to set up the lab facilities, and wrote the code for the wwbump example. Other students, including Jing Liu, Xiaodong Li, Fan Zhang, and Shireen Javali searched literature, checked details, and commented ondrafts. Om Prakash Pitta, Vasudeva Nithyananda Pai, and students in two graduate seminars inspired me by using network processors to create a variety of projects. Colleague Sonia Fahmy reviewed material on switching fabrics. I am also grateful for the comments and criticism from many professionals who either participate in the creation of network processors or use them to build network systems. Craig Partridge of BBN and Paul Phillips of Nauticus Networks provided general comments; Craig provided an insight on switching fabrics. Mike Hathaway of Austin Ventures gave valuable background, and suggested the division of second and third generation architectures. Dale Parson and Rob Munoz of Agere Systems offered extensive reviews, and provided details about both FPL and the Agere architecture. Mohammad Peyravian of IBM commented on the presentation of the IBM architecture. Matt Tryzna of IBM came to Purdue to conduct two classes on the IBM architecture, and also provided comments on a draft of the text. Erik Johnson and Aaron Kunze of Intel provided comments, including a critique of the example code. Paul Schmitt of Calix Networks filled in many background and hardware details, and helped me understand the history of the industry. T. Sridhar of Future Communications Software and John Lin of Bell Labs provided comments on chapters. Robert Dusek of Saint Joseph's College volunteered to manage the web site. Finally, I thank my wife, Chris, for her patient and careful editing and valuable suggestions that improve and polish each book. Douglas E. ComerJanuary, 2003

Paperback

First published February 9, 2003