[c-nsp] Router/Switch Sizing terms

[Pete Templin]

Sami Joseph wrote:
> So Pete when you want to compare a switch/router performance to another, 
> which numbers do you look at ?
> 
> When you are also trying to size your needs, how would you calculate this ?

After enough bad experiences, I size based on line-rate of small 
packets, on the line cards and through the backplane.  Too many DOS 
attacks come in as high PPS, and if my gear can't handle that I'm in a 
world of hurt.  We run at about 40kpps during our busy times, and one of 
our customers "attracted" a brief burst of another 80kpps.  'snot fun.

Enterprises might need to size their upstream edge based on PPS, but can 
likely size their core network based primarily on an average packet size 
of 300 bytes.