Netronome Whitepapers
Understanding Network IO Virtualization (IOV)
And its Application in the Data Center and Network Infrastructure
As network servers, appliances and equipment are virtualized at the CPU level, they need an underlying IO subsystem that is also virtualized. The IOV-P, built into Netronome’s NFP-32xx Network Flow Processor family, provides an ideal solution for network IO virtualization. Although the speed with which vendors will adopt SR-IOV for such virtualization may vary, Netronome intends to lead the pack by building flexibility on top of SR-IOV, while focusing on networking applications.
This paper discusses this new class of network IO virtualization architecture and its role as a key ingredient in virtualized systems. As described, network IO virtualization results in an efficient virtualized environment providing high-performance, security and low-power utilization.
Download the Understanding Network IOV Whitepaper (PDF 732k)
The Evolution to Network Flow Processing
Enabling the Deployment of Intelligent Networks at 10G and Beyond
To enable service providers and network equipment vendors to meet the high-performance challenges, a new multi-chip, multi-core heterogeneous processor architecture is required. In this architecture, a Network Flow multi-core Processor (NFP), optimized for L2-L7 processing, works in conjunction with one or more general-purpose multi-core CPUs. Designs based on this architecture will allow equipment providers to deliver high-performance, flexible and field-programmable systems that enable service providers to generate more revenue per user over a longer product life cycle. This paper discusses this new class of flow-processing architecture and its role in the new heterogeneous multi-processing architecture.
Download the NFP Whitepaper (PDF 508k)
Scaling Network Appliance Performance
Netronome Flow Manager and Netronome Flow Engine -- Solution Overview
To overcome network appliance performance issues, Netronome has developed hardware and software components that allow both ISVs and end users to accelerate network packet capture and filtering applications. Netronome’s solutions provide a combination of hardware acceleration with an open application programming interface (API) for packet classification, zero-copy drivers and libpcap load balancing.
Download the NFM-NFE Whitepaper (PDF 897k)
The Depths of Netronome Deep Packet Inspection
Netronome has extensive DPI research and development experience and numerous DPI deployments based on our existing IXP and IA designs. This intellectual property will be extended to our new NFP-32xx-based network flow processors, NFP-based acceleration hardware and associated software components. Combining this experience with the performance and integration enhancements done on the NFP-32xx, DPI applications can now become more intelligent in high-bandwidth environments.
Download the DPI Whitepaper (PDF 256k)
Standardized but Flexible I/O for Self-Virtualizing Devices
In this paper, Netronome proposes a more flexible alternative to SR-IOV that requires less hardware support from the device. The key insight is that SR-IOV makes use of many standard PCIe features and primarily adds a hardware-based (virtual) function enumeration mechanism. Our software-configurable virtual functions do not require such a hardware-based configuration space; they are implemented by a device driver. This software solution provides more flexibility, as it does not have to conform to the restrictions imposed by SR-IOV.
Download the SR-IOV Whitepaper (PDF 1.1MB)
Scaling Security Application Performance with Intel® QuickAssist Technology
An Overview of Performance across Intel® Architecture Platforms, including Intel® EP80579 Integrated Processor and Netronome Accelerated Solutions
Considering the ever-increasing need for PCs and servers to have accelerated I/O throughput for optimal performance -- especially in high-performance and mission-critical server environments, coupling the ubiquity of the IA with standards-based Intel® QuickAssist Technology-powered PCIe acceleration from Netronome provides a solution for the most-stringent application performance constraints. Netronome offers the only solution that meets the customer requirements in the high-end (price, performance and functionality), allowing Intel to offer a uniform IA-based solution for entire ISV product lines.
Download the Netronome / Intel QuickAssist Whitepaper (PDF 408k)
Intelligent Network Applications for 10Gbps and Beyond
This whitepaper focuses on the requirements for next-generation network appliances in intelligently processing traffic for the growing real-time, interactive and transactional applications. We define the term “intelligent networking” to encompass the needs of these applications.
Download the QPI Whitepaper (PDF 192k)