Network Processors

Introduction to Processing

In the previous part of this book, we described networks. Here, we turn to processors and processing and discuss the theory behind network processors. No specific network processors are described or mentioned, except when required as an example to clarify the theory.

This part begins with frame and packet processing, the algorithms used, data structures, and the relevant networking schemes required for packet processing. These include, for example, network addressing, classification, and look-up schemes. It then describes Class of Service (CoS) and Quality of Service (QoS) schemes, and the way that the network, the equipment, and the chips handle packet traffic accordingly (e.g., buffering and scheduling packets along ...