Tilman Wolf

Title: Run-time support for multi-core packet processing systems

Authors: Tilman Wolf, Ning Weng, and Chia-Hui Tai

Abstract: Network processors (NPs) promise a flexible, programmable packet processing infrastructure for network systems. To make full use of the capabilities of network processors, it is imperative to provide the ability to dynamically adapt to changing traffic patterns in the form of a network processor run-time system. The differences to existing operating systems and the main challenges lie in the multiprocessor nature of NPs, their on-chip resources constraints, and the real-time processing requirements. In this article, we explore the key design tradeoffs that need to be considered when designing a network processor operating system. In particular, we explore the performance impact of (1) application analysis for partitioning, (2) traffic characterization, (3) workload mapping, and (4) run-time adaptation. We present and discuss qualitative and quantitative results in the context of a particular application analysis and mapping framework. The observations and conclusions are generally applicable to any run-time environment for network processors.

Published: Tilman Wolf, Ning Weng, and Chia-Hui Tai, "Run-time support for multi-core packet processing systems," IEEE Network, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 29-37, July 2007.

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BibTeX:
@article{Wolf:RTS07,
  author = {Tilman Wolf and Ning Weng and Tai, Chia-Hui},
  title = {Run-Time Support for Multi-Core Packet Processing Systems},
  journal = {to appear in IEEE Network},
  year = 2007,
  volume = 21,
  number = 4,
  pages = {29--37},
  month = jul
}

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