SARK specializes in development of embedded software for the hi-tech industry. More specifically, SARK has executed several projects involving development of high speed networking software using Network Processor Units (NPUs). SARK has contributed in both data plane and control plane processing of network packets.

Some of the important networking applications/protocols that SARK has worked on include:

• IPv4, IPv6, TCP
• Ethernet, VLAN, PPP, ATM
• DiffServ (QoS), DSLAM

Embedded Network Processor Units (NPUs) that are supported include Intel IXP 23xx, IXP 24xx, IXP 28xx etc. Data plane processing of the packets is handled by the high speed micro-engines of the IXP processors and the control plane processing is handled by the Intel Xscale processors embedded into the NPU chips. Control plane code is compliant with the relevant RFCs. All the applications process packets at wire speeds for relevant NPUs (e.g. at 10 GBPS for 64 Byte packets for IXP 28xx).

SARK also has expertise in supporting various physical interfaces like GE (1 GBPS to 10 GBPS), Utopia, T1/E1/J1, FE etc.

Some of the important features supported include:

• Active Queue Management (SFQ/CBQ) and scheduling (WRR/DRR)
• Flow Control and Congestion Avoidance
• High performance routing with Longest Prefix Match (LPM)
• Forwarding Information Block (FIB) database arranged in a array of Trie blocks
• Support for various NPU boards in single/dual NPU architectures
• Highly reusable code with ease of integrating third party control plane software or protocols

SARK uses a combination of local testing and remote testing while developing embedded networking software. Essentially, functional testing of the networking packets is carried out at the laboratory facilities of SARK in Mumbai. For the high-speed performance testing, high-speed packet generators installed at the laboratory of the customer are used, through the Internet.