Run-to-Completion versus Pipelined: The Case of 100 Gbps Packet Parsing

Hesam Zolfaghari, Haseeb Mustafa, Jari Nurmi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
696 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Packet parsing is the initial step in processing of network packets. It is encountered in any environment in which packets must be processed. Examples include switches, routers, firewalls, and kernel of operating system. In recent years, there has been focus on programmable and protocol-independent packet processing hardware. The two main hardware architectures for packet processing are run-to-completion and pipelined organization of functional units. This applies to packet parsing as well. Both run-to-completion and pipelined organization have pros and cons and the debate as to which provides greater overall benefit is endless. In this paper, we consider this problem from the perspective of programmable 100 Gbps packet parsing. We will see that the pipelined parser provides 40x throughput compared to the run-to-completion architecture despite running at the same operating frequency and using the same functional units in each pipeline stage.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2021 IEEE 22nd International Conference on High Performance Switching and Routing, HPSR 2021
PublisherIEEE
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781665440059
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jun 2021
Publication typeA4 Article in conference proceedings
EventIEEE International Conference on High Performance Switching and Routing - , France
Duration: 7 Jun 202110 Jun 2021

Publication series

NameIEEE International Conference on High Performance Switching and Routing, HPSR
Volume2021-June
ISSN (Print)2325-5595
ISSN (Electronic)2325-5609

Conference

ConferenceIEEE International Conference on High Performance Switching and Routing
Country/TerritoryFrance
Period7/06/2110/06/21

Keywords

  • packet parsing
  • pipeline
  • Run-to-completion

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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