 which is sometimes an optimizing com- piler but sometimes it is not. Other vendors expect the users to write massive code in RISC assembly or, worse, in obscure NPU assembly. Neither case is ideal for full-fledged applications development. Some vendors also use proprietary languages with a certain value proposition. Many vendors who have been preoccupied with offering a superb hardware solution have even resorted to offering free software implementation of protocols such as Internet Protocol version 4 and 6 (IPv4/IPv6) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) to their customers to entice them with one- stop shopping and a shortened time to market. In reality, this is usually the case from vendors whose software environments are not up to par in functionality with their competition or whose program- ming language compilers are not as efficient as those of others. As a result, vendors use this method 1. SMT was heavily researched by Dr. Mario Nemirovsky at the University of California Santa Barbara. It was then used in net- work processors he developed with Clearwater Networks. He is currently pursuing a similar approach with a new venture called Kayamba Inc. (www.kayamba.com). From a computation standpoint, SMT technology has been dubbed hyperthreading by Intel and recently introduced into products exhibiting improved performance throughput. An interesting article on this topic "Hyperthreading Technology Architecture and Microarchitecture" by Deborah T. Marr et al. in the Intel Technology Journal Q1 (2002). This and other related papers can be also found online at www.intel.com/technology/hyperthread/ index.htm?iid5srlhyper&. Another interesting article is "Intel's Hyperthreading Takes Off" by Kevin Krewell in the Microprocessor Report (December 2, 2002). It is also available online to paid subscribers at www.mdronline.com/ mpr/h/2002/1202/164801.html. SMT is researched at many schools with a notable example Prof. Susan Eggers' and Prof. Hank Levy's group at the University of Washington. See www.cs.washington.edu