**Project Background and Feasibility Analysis**
The project is titled "FPGA-Based Firewall System Design." The main objective of this project is to develop a firewall system based on an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) platform, which will be capable of parsing and filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic. The system is currently in the early stages of overall design and demonstration.
One of the key aspects of this project is its focus on advanced technologies such as parallel computing, stateful inspection, Content Addressable Memory (CAM), rule matching, and embedded PowerPC systems. The innovation lies in transitioning traditional software-based firewall functionality into a hardware environment using FPGA technology. This approach allows for faster data processing by leveraging the inherent parallelism of FPGAs, combining hardware and software for improved performance and efficiency.
In terms of technical maturity and reliability, the use of FPGA in firewall development offers several advantages. Compared to other models like network processors or ASICs, FPGAs provide greater flexibility and scalability. The architecture of the system is designed to be highly efficient, with customizable data channels, memory buses, and processing units that can be optimized for specific tasks. This ensures high-speed data processing at line rate, where data flows continuously through the chip without bottlenecks.
Another major advantage is the ability to upgrade the hardware. The final product retains an FPGA upgrade interface, allowing users to update the chip design as network environments and user needs evolve. This not only enhances system longevity but also protects the user's investment over time.
Additionally, integrating the PowerPC hard core within the FPGA further boosts the system’s performance. All functions are integrated on a single chip, reducing the need for external components and simplifying the system layout. This leads to lower costs and higher reliability.
**Project Implementation Plan**
1. **Basic Functional Block Diagram and Description**
A two-layer hierarchical structure is used in this solution: one layer for FPGA hardware logic and another for the embedded system. As shown in Figure 1, the FPGA handles tasks such as packet transmission and reception, classification of packets using the five-tuple (protocol type, source/destination IP address, and port numbers), pattern matching, and encapsulation. The embedded system manages intrusion detection, attack response, rule management, and data forwarding.
2. **Required Development Platform**
The project requires a development platform based on the Advanced Board - Virtex-2 Pro. This platform provides the necessary FPGA resources, along with a PowerPC processor, dual network ports (one on the development board and one on an expansion board), and SRAM. Supporting tools such as download and debugging interfaces are also essential for development and testing.
3. **Modules to Be Developed**
The main modules include the hardware logic for packet processing, the embedded system for security detection, and the rule-based filtering mechanism. These modules are implemented using the block diagram shown in Figures 1 and 2.
4. **Final Performance Indicators**
The goal of the project is to implement a functional and efficient firewall system that can process network traffic in real-time while providing robust security features. The system will support flexible rule configurations and high-speed data handling.
5. **Other Resources Needed**
- **Design Input/Output Daughter Board**: A network expansion board with RJ45 ports, expected to be available in October 2007.
- **Test Equipment**: Multimeter, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, and logic analyzer for system testing.
- **Development Tools**: Simulation tools such as ModelSim, Xilinx ISE for FPGA design, and Sinffer for protocol analysis.
This project represents a promising approach to building a next-generation firewall system that combines the flexibility of FPGAs with the power of embedded systems, offering a scalable and high-performance solution for modern network security needs.
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