Abstract:
A network device for processing a packet can have at least one port within the network device configured to received or transmit a packet, and a storage unit configured to store a port bit map, wherein the port bit map corresponds to the at least one port. Furthermore, the network device for processing a packet can have a rules table configured to have at least one port match entry and at least one action corresponding to the at least one port match entry therein, and a control unit configured to compare the port bit map with the at least one port match entry, and to implement the at least one action when a first positive value results from comparing the port bit map with the port match entry.
Abstract:
A network component for processing a packet can include a buffer configured to receive a packet in an ingress port at a network component, a first identification unit configured to identify a destination address and a network identifier from the packet received at the buffer, and a look-up table configured to be indexed by the destination address and the network identifier identified by the identification unit to obtain an outgoing port bit map. In addition, the network component can include a forwarding unit configured to forward the packet to a destination module and out of an egress port within the network component based on the outgoing port bit map.
Abstract:
A process of filtering packet data in a network device is disclosed. A descriptor table is accessed to obtain a first descriptor and a first field is extracted from a packet based on the first descriptor. An action table is accessed based on a value of the first field of the packet. Then an action from the action table is executed when a valid bit from the action table for the action is set or an action from a miss action table is executed when a valid bit from the action table for the action is not set.
Abstract:
A method of handling data packets in a series of network switches includes receiving an incoming data packet at a data port of a first switch of the series of network switches. A module id bitmap of the incoming data packet is resolved and a bit corresponding to the first switch of the module id bitmap is examined to determine if the bit is set. A destination address of the incoming data packet is resolved when the corresponding bit is set and the incoming data packet is forwarded or dropped based on the destination address. When the corresponding bit is not set, the incoming data packet is forwarded to a next switch of the series of network switches. A network switch configured to allow for cascading of data packets is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A network switch that has a plurality of input ports that receive data packets. An external interface is connected to the plurality of input ports. The external interface externally transmits the data packets for processing, and receives the data packets after processing. A memory management unit is connected to the external interface and a plurality of output ports are connected to the memory management unit.
Abstract:
A data switch for network communications includes a first data port interface which supports at least one data port which transmits and receives data. A second data port interface is also provided supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. A common memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and communicates data from the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an common memory. At least two sets of communication channels are provided, with each of the communication channels communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, and the memory management unit. One set of communication channels provides communication from the first and second data port interfaces to the memory management unit and the other set of communication channels provides communication from the memory management unit to the first and second data port interfaces.
Abstract:
A network switch for network communications is disclosed. The switch includes a first data port interface, supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate and a second data port interface supporting a at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. The switch also has a CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU and a memory management unit for communicating data from at least one of the first and second data port interfaces and a memory. It also has a communication channel for communicating data and messaging information between the first and second data port interfaces and the memory management unit and a plurality of semiconductor-implemented lookup tables including an address resolution lookup table, a multicast table, an IP multicast table and VLAN tables. One of the first and second data port interfaces is configured to determine whether an incoming data packet is a unicast packet, a multicast packet or an IP multicast packet; and one of the multicast table is searched to find egress ports for the incoming data packet.
Abstract:
A network switch for network communications includes a first data port interface supporting a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate. A second data port interface supports a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. A CPU interface is configured to communicate with a CPU, and an internal memory communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, including an external memory interface, for communicating data from at least one of the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an external memory. A communication channel is provided, for communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, the internal memory, and the memory management unit. One data port interface of the first data port interface and the second data port interface includes a fast filtering process, with the fast filtering processor filtering packets coming into the one data port interface. Selective filter action is taken based upon a filtering result.
Abstract:
A network switch for network communications is disclosed. The switch includes a first data port interface, supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate and a second data port interface supporting a at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. The switch also has a CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU and a memory management unit for communicating data from at least one of the first and second data port interfaces and a memory. It also has a communication channel for communicating data and messaging information between the first and second data port interfaces and the memory management unit and a plurality of semiconductor-implemented lookup tables including an address resolution lookup table, a layer three IP lookup table and VLAN tables. One of the first and second data port interfaces is configured to determine whether an incoming data packet is a unicast packet, a multicast packet or an IP multicast packet; and the address resolution lookup and layer three IP lookup tables are searched to find an egress port for the incoming data packet.
Abstract:
A method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment, wherein the method includes the steps of determining if a packet flow in a network switch exceeds a predetermined threshold. Then the method includes the step of determining if the packet flow is a candidate for link switching from a first link to a second link if the packet flow exceeds the predetermined threshold. Additionally, the method includes switching the packet flow from the first link to the second link if the packet flow is determined to be a candidate for link switching. Additionally, a method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment including the steps of determining a length of a first frame and a length of a second frame entering the link aggregation environment. Thereafter, determining a flow rate of the first frame and the second frame entering the link aggregation environment. Then a step of determining if the flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate threshold is undertaken, and thereafter, a step of determining if the first frame and the second frame are candidates for link switching is completed. As a final step, the method switches a transmission link for the second frame from a first transmission link to a second transmission link.