Security issues within a networking environment are critical, as attacks or intrusions can come from many different sources. Firewalls are an effective tool used for intrusion detection and provide protection against attacks on a system or network. In the past, protection barriers for a local network have been provided using software solutions. Emerging multi-gigabit networking technology and the high uptake of gigabit Ethernet has rendered these solutions inefficient as it cannot cope with the high data rate. In this paper, a new approach using reconfigurable hardware such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays is proposed to provide the flexibility and performance required for a gigabit firewall. The solution is extendable, has low cost and is capable of scanning multiple protocols. The design approach will allow it to be easily ported over to another family of chips with no or minor modification.
Fiber-optic time-frequency transfer in gigabit ethernet networks over urban fiber links
