Introduction

With the expanding Internet, all levels of the network must become faster. This requires high-speed packet searches, which are essential for routing, but also necessary for higher-level functions such as Quality of Service (QoS) support and access control. To meet this need, IDT has developed network search engines that accelerate packet processing at OC-192 data rates and beyond.

Device Description

The 18M NSE with Dual LA-1 interface is intended to work with NPUs having a Look Aside Interface. Multiple devices including the 18M Dual LA-1 NSE can be connected to the same LA-1 interface. Each 18M Dual LA-1 NSE device may be optionally point-to-point expanded up to eight NSE devices.

NSE Features

■ 256K x 72 (18M) Data and Mask cells

■ Full Ternary Content Addressable Memory

■ Supports up to 250 Million searches per second

■ Dynamic Database Management?

- Configurable Database widths

- Databases are selectable per NSE command

■ Programmable Power Management

- Only the selected Database consumes power

- PowerSave logic provides additional power savings

■ Lookup (Search) Instructions

- Standard Lookup

- Multi-Hit Lookup

- Multi-Database Lookup

- Re-Issue Multi-Database Lookup

- Simultaneous Multi-Database Lookup

■ Maintenance Features

- Per entry aging support with notification

- Multi Hit Invalidate

- Learn per Database

■ Search with learn

- Automatic learning

- Duplicate learn prevention per database

■ Multiple return index formats

■ Flexible Associated Data Management

- 0, 32, 64, or 128 bits of Associated Data per entry

■ Instruction Completion Notification

■ Multiple contexts per interface

■ Pool of 72-bit Global Mask Registers (shared across contexts)

■ Parity support for interfaces and CAM core

■ 35mm x 35mm thermally efficient 900 BGA Package