Focused function network processor

摘要

A network processor is enabled to retrieve a packet transmission data structure (PTD) from a memory. The NP parses packet data from the PTD and transmits the data over the network as a network packet. The PTD may include repetition information used by the NP to transmit a plurality of packets. The PTD use transmission interval information to control transmission timing of consecutive network packets. The PTD may include modification information used to modify the data packet portion. The modification may include incrementing, decrementing, or storing a random number into any portion of the data packet. The PTD may include flow control information to determine the next PTD to process. The flow control information may include criteria including acknowledgement criteria and time delay criteria. The packet data portion preferably includes all formatting information applicable to the network.