• Xilinx Virtex-II Pro 50
• 4.5 MB static random access memory (SRAM)
• JTAG cable connector can be used to run Xilinx ChipScope Pro
• Wire-speed processing on all ports at all time using FPGA logic

The NetFPGA platform enables researchers and instructors to build working prototypes of high-speed, hardware-accelerated networking systems. The platform can be used in the classroom to teach students how to build Ethernet switches and Internet Prototcol (IP) routers using hardware rather than software. The NetFPGA can be used by researchers to prototype advanced services for next-generation networks.

The NetFPGA is an open platform and is available to developers worldwide. Reference designs included with the system include an IPv4 router, an Ethernet switch, and a four-port NIC. Researchers have used the platform to build advanced network flow processing systems. A single NetFPGA board can route packets over four subnets, and multiple NetFPGA boards can be installed on the same PC.

The system consists of a reprogrammable development board, reference implementations, and sample courseware. The development board itself is a PCI card that can be installed on any PC with an available full-length slot. Hosted on the board are a user-programmable FPGA (with two PowerPC processors), SRAM, DRAM, and four 1Gbps Ethernet ports.

Programming and administration of the development board are performed by the host PC via the PCI bus. This allows users to remotely develop and deploy designs since physical access to the board is not required.