LOP_RE: Range encoding for low power packet classification

State-of-the-art hardware based techniques achieve high performance and maximize efficiency of packet classification applications. The predominant example of these, ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) based packet classification systems can achieve much higher throughput than software-based techniques. However, they suffer from high power consumption due to the highly parallel architecture and lack high-throughput range encoding techniques. In this paper, we propose a novel SRAM-based packet classification architecture with packet-side search key range encoding units, significantly reducing energy consumption without reducing the throughput from that of TCAM and additionally allowing range matching at wire speed. LOP_RE is a flexible packet classification system which can be customized to the requirement of the application. Ten different benchmarks were tested, with results showing that LOP_RE architectures provide high lookup rates and throughput, and consume low power and energy. Compared with a TCAM-based packet classification system (without range encoding) implemented in 65nm CMOS technology, LOP_RE can save 65% energy consumption for the same rule set over these benchmarks.