Dynamic Hardware Plugins (DHP): Exploiting Reconfigurable Hardware for High-Performance Programmable Routers

Authors: David E. Taylor, Jonathan S. Turner, John W. Lockwood, and Edson L. Horta.

Complete Citation

• Taylor, David E., Turner, Jonathan S., Lockwood, John W., Horta, Edson L. 2001. Dynamic Hardware Plugins (DHP): Exploiting Reconfigurable Hardware for High-Performance Programmable Routers. Applied Research Laboratory at Washington University in Saint Louis.

Abstract

This paper presents the Dynamic Hardware Plugins (DHP) architecture for implementing multiple networking applications in hardware at programmable routers. By enabling multiple applications to be dynamically loaded into a single hardware device, the DHP architecture provides a scalable mechanism for implementing high-performance programmable routers. The DHP architecture is presented within the context of a programmable router architecture which processes flows in both software and hardware. Possible implementations are described as well as the prototype testbed at Washington University in Saint Louis

Annotations

* Purpose: This paper presents an approach to programmable routers that is based on FPGA reprogrammable hardware. It posits that dynamic network configurations can be further improved this way because some tasks are done best in hardware.

* In essence, a series of Port Processors (PP) stand between each input to the system. These interface with the switch fabric, and all are controlled by a Control Processor (CP). Because this is implemented in a Field Programmable Logic Array (FPGA) the rules by which incoming traffic are handled can be changed at any time. Thus the system is capable of performing tasks, such as encryption or complex error correction, at a hardware level and in a highly parallel fashion.

* Our interest in DHP is that it implements a dynamically reconfigurable router fabric, although it does it via a combination of hardware and software that extends beyond the scope of the Click! project.

* Conclusion: DHP provides insight into tasks and applications that a programmable Click! router will be used for. DHP's strategy of dividing and reconfiguring subcomponents on-the-fly seems useful, and will hopefully see implementation in the Click!-based project.

-- DavidMoore - 11 Jul 2007