Abstract:
A network processing device having multiple processing engines capable of providing multi-context parallel processing is disclosed. The device includes a receiver and a packet processor, wherein the receiver is capable of receiving packets at a predefined packet flow rate. The packet processor, in one embodiment, includes multiple processing engines, wherein each processing engine is further configured to include multiple context processing components. The context processing components are used to provide multi-context parallel processing to increase throughput.
Abstract:
A network device having a system performance measurement unit employing one or more global time stamps for measuring the device performance is disclosed. The device includes an ingress circuit, a global time counter, an egress circuit, and a processor. The ingress circuit is configured to receive a packet from an input port while the global time counter generates an arrival time stamp in accordance with the arrival time of the packet. The egress circuit is capable of forwarding the packet to other network devices via an output port. The processor, in one embodiment, is configured to calculate packet latency in response to the arrival time stamp.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for improving packet processing employing a network flow control mechanism are disclosed. A network process, in one embodiment, suspends distribution of incoming packet(s) to one or more, packet processing engines (“PEs”) upon detecting a stalling request. After identifying currently executing operations initiated by one or more kicking circuits before the issuance of stalling request, the process allows the currently executing operations to complete despite the activation of the stalling request.