Topic: Data processing unit

Student name: Noor ul huda fatima

Roll number:F24-BSCS-1047
Instructor:Sir Inam ul haq
Course: DLD
Department:Computer Science
Faculty of computing
 Table of contents
1.Introduction
2.Components
3.Functional parts
4. Working
5.People role
6.Information flow
7.Summary
8.Conclusion
9.References
Introduction:
A Data Processing Unit (DPU) is a type of programmable processor designed to handle data
movement, security, and networking tasks — things that traditionally slow down the CPU. It
works alongside the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) to
make computing systems, especially data centers and cloud environments, more efficient.
DPU typically includes a programmable CPU core, a high-performance network interface, and
dedicated hardware
engines for encryption, compression, and security monitoring.
It is built to accelerate infrastructure workloads, such as
managing data between servers, secure communications,
and enforcing system policies all without slow down
the main CPU.
 DPU acts as a data traffic manager and guardian of modern computing systems. It
ensures that data flows fast , safely, and smoothly across networks. As computing
demands grow especially in cloud computing, AI systems, and devices like the DPU is
becoming an essential part of high-performance and safe architectures.
AI Factories are an emerging use case for DPUs. In these

environments, large amounts of data must be moved

rapidly among CPUs, GPUs, and storage systems to

handle complex and tough AI workloads. The tasks such as

packet processing, encryption, and traffic management,

DPUs help in reducing latency and improve energy efficiency, enabling these factories to
maintain the very high throughput and scalability needed for advanced machine learning
operations.
Components:
. Programmable Processor Core (usually ARM-based)
1

● Acts as the brain of the DPU

● Runs system software and controls other components

● Can be programmed for different tasks like network management or security functions

2. Network Interface Controller (NIC)

● Handles network communication (e.g., Ethernet ports: 25G, 40G, 100G)

● Receives and sends data packets at high speed

● Supports advanced networking features like virtualization and offloading

3. Acceleration Engines / Hardware Accelerators

● Perform specialized tasks in hardware (faster than CPU)

● Examples include:

○ Encryption/Decryption

○ Compression/Decompression
Functional parts:
1. Multi-Core CPU (The Brain)
This is the control center inside the DPU — a small but powerful processor that handles decision-making.

● Runs the DPU’s software

● Controls all other components

● Supports user programmability

2. Network Interface (The Mouth & Ears)

This is how the DPU sends and receives data — kind of like its communication system.

● Connects to high-speed networks (e.g., 25G, 100G Ethernet)

● Handles massive amounts of traffic

● Supports protocols like RDMA for direct memory transfers

3. Acceleration Engines (The Muscles)

These are special hardware units built to handle repetitive or heavy tasks faster than software ever could.

● Encrypt/decrypt data (security)

● Compress/decompress files

● Inspect data packets for threats or patterns

● Manage storage and virtualization

4. Memory Subsystem (The Workspace)

Just like any worker needs a desk, the DPU has its own memory system.

● Stores working data

● Supports fast access for all internal processes

● Communicates with the main system memory efficiently

5. Security Engines (The Shield)

This is like an always-on guard that protects the entire data flow.

● Scans traffic for suspicious activity

● Blocks threats in real time

Working:
1. Data Arrival from the Network

When data enters your computer or server — say, from a video call or a file download — it first arrives through the network
interface.
Instead of passing that data directly to the CPU, the DPU intercepts it. It starts analyzing, inspecting, and preparing it for
the next steps — all in real time.

2. Security and Inspection

Before any data can enter the system, the DPU checks it for threats like viruses, malware, or unauthorized access attempts.
By Using built-in security engines, the DPU scans every data packet to enforce firewall rules, encryption policies, or
network segmentation.

3. Processing Infrastructure Tasks

Once the data is cleared, the DPU uses its acceleration hardware to perform tasks like:

● Encrypting/decrypting the data

● Compressing large files

● Balancing the data load between devices

● Handling storage virtualization

People role:
1. Hardware Engineers

● Design the physical structure and internal components of the DPU

● Work on the processor cores, memory, networking interfaces, and acceleration units

● Ensure high performance, low power usage, and reliability

2. Software Developers / Firmware Engineers

● Write the firmware and low-level code that controls the DPU

● Develop drivers and interfaces that allow the DPU to work with other system parts

● Customize DPU behavior for tasks like encryption or data movement

3. Network Engineers / Data Center Architects

● Plan and integrate DPUs into cloud or enterprise environments

● Set up DPU-based networking to offload tasks from the CPU

● Configure systems for better performance and traffic control

Information flow:
The information flow within a Data Processing Unit (DPU) is a complex process involving several key components working in concert.
Here's a simplified overview of how data typically moves and is processed:

1. Data Input:

○ Data enters the DPU primarily through its high-performance network interface. This interface receives data packets from
the network at very high speeds (e.g., 100/200 Gbps).
○ Data can also come from other parts of the system, such as storage devices, via interfaces like PCIe.
○
2. Initial Processing and Steering:

○ As data arrives, dedicated hardware acceleration engines for networking perform initial processing. This might involve
packet parsing, filtering, and potentially some security checks.
○
○ Based on this initial processing, the data is steered to the appropriate processing resources within the DPU. This could be
the CPU cores, other specialized hardware accelerators (for security, storage, etc.), or a combination of both.
3. CPU Core Processing:

○ The multi-core CPU, often based on the ARM architecture, handles general-purpose processing tasks. This involves
executing software instructions to analyze, manipulate, and manage the data.
○ The CPU can also manage the operation of the hardware acceleration engines
Hardware Acceleration:

● For specific, data-intensive tasks, the data is offloaded to hardware acceleration engines. These engines are designed to perform
their specific functions (e.g., encryption, compression, packet processing) much faster and more efficiently than the general-purpose
CPU.
●
● Data might flow through a pipeline of different hardware accelerators depending on the required processing.

Memory Access:

● Throughout the processing stages, the DPU needs to access memory. This includes:
○ Internal SRAM or cache: For fast access to frequently used data and instructions.
○ External memory (e.g., DDR4/DDR5): To store larger amounts of data being processed.
● Memory controllers within the DPU manage the efficient transfer of data between the processing units and the memory.

Data Output:

● Once the data has been processed, the DPU needs to send it out. This can happen through:
○ The high-performance network interface: To transmit processed data packets back onto

the network.
Summary:
A Data Processing Unit (DPU) is a specialized processor designed to handle data-centric tasks such as networking, storage, and security
operations — tasks that traditionally slow down a system’s CPU.

DPUs feature high-bandwidth network interfaces for efficient data ingestion and egress. Their

primary function is to offload data processing tasks from the host CPU, leading to improved

performance, enhanced efficiency, and increased security in data centers and high-performance

computing environments. By intelligently managing and processing data at the infrastructure level,

DPUs enable greater resource utilization, scalability, and reduced latency for demanding

Applications.

A DPU includes:

● A programmable CPU core (like ARM)

● High-speed network interfaces (e.g., Ethernet)

● Specialized hardware engines for tasks like encryption, compression, and packet filtering
Conclusion:
● A Data Processing Unit (DPU) is a specialized processor used to handle data-related tasks.

● It manages networking, storage, and security operations that would otherwise slow down the CPU.

● Acts like a traffic controller, directing data flow efficiently across the system.

● Helps improve system speed, security, and performance by offloading background work.

● Works alongside the CPU and GPU:

○ CPU runs applications

○ GPU handles graphics and AI tasks

○ DPU manages data movement and system services

● Commonly used in cloud computing, servers, and data centers.

● Reduces CPU load, which leads to better energy efficiency and faster processing.

● Often includes its own programmable cores, network ports, and acceleration engines.
Reference:
1. Wikipedia
2. Chatgpt
3. Gemini
Screenshot of Plagiarism: