sification engine to an NPU through the Look-Aside interface is "LA-1: Examining the Look-Aside Processor Interace," by Harmeet Bhugra, IDT May 20, 2003, CommsDesign.com, available online at www.commsdesign.com/story/OEG20030520S008. Its refer- ences include an interesting IDT paper comparing search-engine-based with algorithmic classifications. Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website. CLASSIFICATION PROCESSORS Downloaded from Digital Engineering Library @ McGraw-Hill (www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com) Copyright © 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use as given at the website. Source: NETWORK PROCESSORS CHAPTER 14 SWITCH FABRICS In the first three chapters of the book, we took a glimpse at the unprecedented technology evolution that has occurred over the last 30 years. We discussed the reasons behind the development of network processors and saw typical operations that must be performed on packets transmitted in modern net- works. Several critical factors have enabled the trend toward new sets of ever-increasing requirements for the performance and rapid deployment of sophisticated high-speed network equipment. These include the extraordinary progress in semiconductor technology, the spectacular advances in the devel- opment of distributed/embedded computing and applications and operating systems software, as well as the proliferation and pervasiveness of computer networks that will handle voice, audio, video, and data transparently, reliably, and at an optimal level of quality and cost (as perceived by the network users). In the era of converged global networks, where from a transmission standpoint, almost no differ- ence exists between voice or data, audio, or video, vendors must produce new products in record time while offering meaningful and different product features. These f