Knowledge-based processor
Encyclopedia
Knowledge-based processors (KBPs) are used for processing packets in computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....

s. Knowledge-based processors are essential for the long term success of the IPv6
IPv6
Internet Protocol version 6 is a version of the Internet Protocol . It is designed to succeed the Internet Protocol version 4...

 network. The buildout of the IPv6 network is inevitable as it provides the means to an improved and secure networking system. It has been built from the ground up to address the issues of available addressing and security concerns.

Standards

All networks are required to perform the following functions:
  1. IPv4/IPv6 multilayer packet/flow classification
  2. Policy-based routing and Policy enforcement (QoS)
  3. Longest Prefix Match (CIDR)
  4. Differentiated Services (DiffServ)
  5. IP Security (IPSec)
  6. Server Load Balancing
  7. Transaction verification


All of the above functions must occur at high speeds in advanced networks. Knowledge-based processors contain embedded databases that store information required to process packets that travel
through a network at wireline speeds. Knowledge based processors are a new addition to intelligent networking that allow these functions to occur at high speeds and at the same time provide for lower power consumption.

Knowledge-based processors currently target the 3rd layer of the 7 layer OSI model
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...

 which is devoted to packet processing. Knowledge-based processors may eventually be required at every node in the internet due to the demands placed upon it by the converging voice and video phenomena. Layer 7, where application functionality between browser, email, ftp download,and telnet applications occur, is likely the next layer that could make use of knowledge based processors.

Advantages

The advantages that knowledge based processors offer are the ability to execute multiple simultaneous decision making processes for a range of network-aware processing functions. These include routing, Quality of service
Quality of service
The quality of service refers to several related aspects of telephony and computer networks that allow the transport of traffic with special requirements...

 (QOS), access control for both security and billing, forwarding of voice/video packets. These functions improve the performance of advanced Internet applications in IPv6 networks such as VOD
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...

 (Video on demand), VoIP (voice over Internet protocol), and streaming of video and audio.

Knowledge-based processors use a variety of techniques to improve network functioning such as parallel processing, deep pipelining and advanced power management techniques. Improvements in each of these areas allows for existing components to carry on their functions at wireline speeds more efficiently thus improving the performance of the overall network.

The databases in a knowledge-based processor include classification tables, forwarding tables, and exact match tables- all of which are utilized by the CPU and network processors. Some companies use a glueless process enabling the quick installation of the knowledge based processor to the network system.

Knowledge based processors mainly process packet headers (20% of the packet approximately) which enables network awareness. Content processors, by contrast, allow for packet payload inspection (80% of the packet is data) and therefore must search "deeper" into the packet.

See also

  • Network processor
    Network processor
    A network processor is an integrated circuit which has a feature set specifically targeted at the networking application domain.Network processors are typically software programmable devices and would have generic characteristics similar to general purpose central processing units that are commonly...

  • Multi core processor
    Multi-core (computing)
    A multi-core processor is a single computing component with two or more independent actual processors , which are the units that read and execute program instructions...

  • Content processor
    Content processor
    Content processors are sometimes confused with network processors that inspect the packet payload of an IP packet travelling through a computer network. These components allow for the design and deployment of next-generation networking systems that can make packet or message processing decisions...

  • Network processor
    Network processor
    A network processor is an integrated circuit which has a feature set specifically targeted at the networking application domain.Network processors are typically software programmable devices and would have generic characteristics similar to general purpose central processing units that are commonly...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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