Network Processing Forum
Encyclopedia
The Network Processing Forum (NPF) was organized to facilitate and accelerate the development of next-generation networking and telecommunications products based on network processing
technologies. The NPF was merged into the Optical Internetworking Forum
in June 2006. The NPF produces Hardware, Software, and Benchmark Interoperability Agreements. These agreements enable equipment manufacturers to lower their time to market and development cost by enabling a robust, multi-vendor ecosystem. It also lowers the total cost of ownership of systems based on their interoperability agreements by enabling investments in test and verification infrastructure as well as enabling competition.
then of IBM
was the first chairman of the NPF. Misha Nossik then of Solidum Systems
, later acquired by Integrated Device Technology
was the second chairman of the NPF. Many of the original meetings were held in the Drake Hotel
in Chicago, Illinois.
representing IP Infusion is the vice-chairman. The NPF's board is composed of representatives of Ericsson
, HiFn, IBM
, Integrated Device Technology
, Intel, IP Infusion, and PMC-Sierra
.
(LA) is used by Network Processing Elements (NPE)s to access Network Search Elements, of which CAMs are an example.
The Streaming Interface (NPF-SI) is used by NPEs to talk to each other and to framing devices and to switching devices.
Functional APIs, (FAPI)s, are used to configure or use a low level functional block. The following FAPIs have been approved by the NPF:
. In December 2004, the NPF became a founding member of the Mountain View Alliance
, a consortium of consortia created to enable Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions.
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...
technologies. The NPF was merged into the Optical Internetworking Forum
Optical Internetworking Forum
The Optical Internetworking Forum is a non-profit, member-driven organization founded in 1998. It promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements for optical networking products, network processing...
in June 2006. The NPF produces Hardware, Software, and Benchmark Interoperability Agreements. These agreements enable equipment manufacturers to lower their time to market and development cost by enabling a robust, multi-vendor ecosystem. It also lowers the total cost of ownership of systems based on their interoperability agreements by enabling investments in test and verification infrastructure as well as enabling competition.
History of the NPF
The organization was formed to build on the efforts of two former industry groups, the Common Programming Interface Forum (CPIX) and the Common Switch Interface Consortium (CSIX). Chuck SannipoliChuck Sannipoli
Chuck Sannipoli is a noted executive in the data networking industry, having served for more than 3 decades in many roles. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a Senior Member of the IEEE...
then of IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
was the first chairman of the NPF. Misha Nossik then of Solidum Systems
Solidum Systems
Solidum Systems was a fabless semiconductor company founded by Feliks Welfeld and Misha Nossik in Ottawa, Ontario Canada in 1997. It developed a series of rule-based network classification semiconductor devices...
, later acquired by Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, that designs, manufactures, and markets low-power, high-performance mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for the advanced communications, computing, and consumer industries. The company...
was the second chairman of the NPF. Many of the original meetings were held in the Drake Hotel
Drake Hotel
Drake Hotel may refer to:in Canada*Drake Hotel in the United States *Drake Hotel , Illinois, listed on the NRHP*Drake Hotel , listed on the NRHP in New Mexico*Drake Hotel...
in Chicago, Illinois.
Organizational form
The NPF is a member-managed non-profit corporation and operates as a contribution-driven, parliamentary industry forum. Russell Dietz of HiFn is the current chairman and Chuck SannipoliChuck Sannipoli
Chuck Sannipoli is a noted executive in the data networking industry, having served for more than 3 decades in many roles. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a Senior Member of the IEEE...
representing IP Infusion is the vice-chairman. The NPF's board is composed of representatives of Ericsson
Ericsson
Ericsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...
, HiFn, IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, that designs, manufactures, and markets low-power, high-performance mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for the advanced communications, computing, and consumer industries. The company...
, Intel, IP Infusion, and PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra is a fabless semiconductor company which develops and sells devices into the communications, storage, printing, and embedded computing marketplaces.-Corporate history:...
.
Hardware interoperability agreements
The Look-Aside InterfaceLook-Aside Interface
The Look-Aside Interface is a computer interface that was specified by an interface interoperability agreement produced by the Network Processing Forum. It specifies the method to interface a Network Processing Element to a Network Search Element...
(LA) is used by Network Processing Elements (NPE)s to access Network Search Elements, of which CAMs are an example.
The Streaming Interface (NPF-SI) is used by NPEs to talk to each other and to framing devices and to switching devices.
Software interoperability agreements
Service Application Programming Agreements, (SAPI)s, provide an API to configure or use a service. The following SAPIs have been approved by the NPF:- Interface Management API, IPSec Service API, HA Service API, Diffserv Services API, IPv4 Unicast Forwarding Service API, IPv6 Unicast Forwarding Service API, MPLS Forwarding Service API,
Functional APIs, (FAPI)s, are used to configure or use a low level functional block. The following FAPIs have been approved by the NPF:
- IPv4 Prefix LPF and FAPI, Generic Classifier LFB and FAPI, Topology Manager FAPI, Messaging LFB,
Benchmarking interoperability agreements
The NPF has created benchmarks for IP forwarding, IPSEC performance, MPLS forwarding, and switch fabric performance.Joint projects
The NPF specified a High Availability framework and service API in conjunction with the Service Availability Forum (SAF). The NPF has also had extensive liaison activity with the Optical Internetworking ForumOptical Internetworking Forum
The Optical Internetworking Forum is a non-profit, member-driven organization founded in 1998. It promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements for optical networking products, network processing...
. In December 2004, the NPF became a founding member of the Mountain View Alliance
Mountain View Alliance
The Mountain View Alliance is a consortium of consortia announced in June 2005 and intended to enable the adoption of commercial off-the-shelf solutions through coordination of marketing activities...
, a consortium of consortia created to enable Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions.