The BCM15K is a new series of 16nm KBPs which integrates TCAM, SRAM and algorithmic search technology to enable unprecedented levels of forwarding, classification and security for service provider routers and switches.

Compared with previous generation KBP products, the BCM15K delivers internet search speeds up to 7.2 billion searches per second (BSPS) and aggregate data transfer rates up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps), which are 8x and 3x improvements, respectively.

As global internet traffic will soon surpass a zettabyte on an annual basis and bandwidth-intensive applications such as cloud computing and video streaming continue to expand, next-generation networks would need more advanced routers and switches that are capable of handling terabit bandwidth and performing multi-billion packet search operations per second.

Efficiently supporting these applications at these speeds means next-generation routers and switches would need a specialized, high performing KBP that has advanced Layer 2 to Layer 4 packet header processing capabilities enabling service providers to deliver services with QoS and security guarantees.

“The demand for large forwarding and ACL scale driven by the continued transition of IPv4 to IPv6 in service-provider networks is fueling the need for more advanced KBPs,” said Bob Wheeler, principal analyst with The Linley Group. “Furthermore, the need for deterministic packet processing throughput is driving adoption of KBPs in service-provider and hyperscale data centers.”

“As service providers upgrade their networks to terabit speeds to meet the growing demand for more bandwidth, KBP with multi-BSPS capability and terabit throughput will become more critical in router and switch systems complementing networking ASICs and merchant NPUs,” said Ed Redmond, senior vice president and general manager of the Compute and Connectivity Division at Broadcom.

“Our latest 16nm KBP delivers the highest throughput and performance, and is fully optimized for next generation service provider networks as well as emerging applications like hyperscale data centers and network security appliances.”