Benchmarking network processors

In this paper the need for standardized benchmarks for network processors are discussed. Benchmarks are important for developers of high performance network related hardware who need to decide upon which Network Processor to use. The difference between application level benchmarks and micro level benchmarks are discussed. High quality micro level benchmarks are proposed as a way of easily assembling a large set of benchmark results that are relevant for a wide variety of applications. Three typical systems are proposed and network related tasks that could be elaborated into useful microbenchmarks are identified on these systems.