[c-nsp] Cisco N540-ACC-SYS ipv4 routes

[Mark Tinka]

On 13/Jul/20 09:20, Saku Ytti wrote:

> But if that is a strict definition, then we don't really have ASICs
> outside really cheap switches, as there is some programmability in all
> new stuff being released. So I'm not sure what the correct definition
> is.

I've been thinking about this over the past 4 years, actually, and I
came to the conclusion that it was mostly championed by the 6500/7600
ASIC's, and Juniper's earlier Internet Processor I and Internet
Processor II ASIC's.

Since that time, we've asked routers to do more things beyond simple IP
packet forwarding, which has required those chips to evolve more into
NPU's than ASIC's. I'd say from around the ASR1000, MX and later, is
when we saw this shift.

So I agree with you that outside of classic Ethernet switches today, if
we have to be pedantic about what an ASIC is, we don't see them in
today's kit anymore.

But also, I have not heard any standard definition that makes NPU more
appropriate to what forwarding chips are doing today. Some vendors still
use "ASIC" and "NPU" interchangeably, depending on how old they are or
what mood they are in.

Ultimately, I'm not sure it matters that much nowadays, but I wouldn't
mind having the discussion :-).

Mark.