Look-Aside Interface
Encyclopedia
The Look-Aside Interface is a computer
interface
that was specified by an interface interoperability agreement produced by the Network Processing Forum
. It specifies the method to interface a Network Processing Element
(of which an NPU is an example) to a Network Search Element (of which a CAM
is an example). The interface is used by devices that off-load certain tasks from the network processor.
Numerous devices which implement the LA interface have been produced. Companies which have implemented these devices include Integrated Device Technology
and Cypress Semiconductor
.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
interface
Network interface
Network interface may refer to:* Network interface controller, the device a computer uses to connect to a computer network* Network interface device, a demarcation point for a telephone network...
that was specified by an interface interoperability agreement produced by the Network Processing Forum
Network Processing Forum
The Network Processing Forum was organized to facilitate and accelerate the development of next-generation networking and telecommunications products based on network processing technologies. The NPF was merged into the Optical Internetworking Forum in June 2006. The NPF produces Hardware,...
. It specifies the method to interface a Network Processing Element
Network processor
A network processor is an integrated circuit which has a feature set specifically targeted at the networking application domain.Network processors are typically software programmable devices and would have generic characteristics similar to general purpose central processing units that are commonly...
(of which an NPU is an example) to a Network Search Element (of which a CAM
Content-addressable memory
Content-addressable memory is a special type of computer memory used in certain very high speed searching applications. It is also known as associative memory, associative storage, or associative array, although the last term is more often used for a programming data structure...
is an example). The interface is used by devices that off-load certain tasks from the network processor.
Numerous devices which implement the LA interface have been produced. Companies which have implemented these devices include Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, that designs, manufactures, and markets low-power, high-performance mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for the advanced communications, computing, and consumer industries. The company...
and Cypress Semiconductor
Cypress Semiconductor
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation is a Silicon Valley-based semiconductor design and manufacturing company founded by T. J. Rodgers and others from Advanced Micro Devices. It was formed in 1982 with backing by Sevin Rosen and went public in 1986. The company initially focused on the design and...
.