Common instruction-set network processors contain the same classification and marking methodologies and use identical policing and shaping algorithms. Through the ability to quickly develop, reuse and modify software, design and development time can be significantly reduced and extensive debugging minimized. The IETF standards on policy-based networking have not yet reached RFC status. Current policy protocols are fluid, untested and largely specific to each network equipment vendor. To build products that can track the standards and meet them when ratified, it is necessary to use fully programmable, high-performance solutions.
Network processors support dynamic rules and evolving standards and protocols.
Hardwired ASIC and ASSP implementations need to be respun when standards change, adding development time and causing premature obsolescence of existing equipment in the field. Current products based on network processors include Spring Tide Network's IP Service Switch 5000, an Internet edge-services provisioning box. All programmable network processors contain RISC processors. Some have been further optimized specifically for networking applications. In either case, tightly crafted software can be developed to support a variety of policy-based network services.