Network Processing Unit
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Network Processing Unit or NPU is an array of one or more Central processing unit (CPU) whose instructions are specialized to handle networking-related functions. NPUs are generally targeted at efficient examination and manipulation of packet headers. Packet operations are programmed using a programming language.
In addition to common CPU interfaces, NPUs have interfaces that are specific to networking and telecommunications applications: UTOPIA POS/PHY for Asynchronous transfer mode-based interfaces, Media Independent Interface/RMII/GMII/SMII for Ethernet-based interfaces, and H.100/H.110 or similar buses for Time-division multiplexing-based interfaces, for example.
NPUs are typically found in embedded systems. However, the Killer NIC is a recent NPU designed to offload the User datagram protocol stack often used by online games in order to boost game performance.
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