High Speed Networking In The Multi-Core Era
Benjamin Wun · 2011
Abstract: High speed networking is a demanding task that has traditionally been performed in dedicated, purpose built hardware or specialized network processors. These platforms sacrifice flexibility or programmability in favor of performance. Recently, there has been much interest in using multi-core general purpose processors, which have the advantages of being easily programmable and upgradeable. The best way to exploit these new architectures for networking is an open question that has been the subject of much recent research. In this disseration, I explore the best way to exploit multicore general purpose processors for packet processing applications. This includes both new architectural organizations for the processors as well as changes to the systems software. I intend to demonstrate the efficacy of these techniques by using them to build an open and extensible network security and monitoring platform that can out perform existing solutions.