Albrecht, CarstenHagenau, RainerMaehle, ErikDöring, AndreasHerkersdorf, AndreasBrinkschulte, UweBecker, JürgenFey, DietmarGroßpietsch, Karl-ErwinHochberger, ChristianMaehle, ErikRunkler, Thomas A.2019-10-302019-10-3020043-88579-370-9https://dl.gi.de/handle/20.500.12116/29392Today's network processor utilize parallel processing in order to cope with the traffic growth and wire-speed of current and future network technologies. In this paper, we study two important parallel programming models for network processors: run to completion and pipelining. In particular, the packet flow of a standard network application, IPv4 Forwarding, through two examined network processors, IBM PowerNP NP4GS3 and Intel IXP1200, is reviewed and characterized in respect to their programming models. Based on a benchmark for PC-cluster SANs, their application throughput and latency for Gigabit Ethernet is investigated and compared to a commercial, ASIC-based switch. It is shown that in this scenario network processors can compete with hard-wired solutions.enText/Conference Paper1617-5468