摘要:
A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.
摘要:
A network apparatus comprising storage units storing configuration information about the network apparatus, an input network interface to at least one network physical line, at least one processor receiving network data from said network interface, processing said data, storing information about said network data in said storage units, storing said data as formatted data units in said storage units, a first bus interface to two bus connections, a first hardware component reading said configuration information and said information about data stored in said storing units and steering said formatted data units stored in said storage units to at least one of the two bus connections of said first bus interface, a second bus interface to two bus connections, an output network interface to at least one network physical line, a second hardware component reading formatted data units arriving on at least one of the two bus connections of said second bus interface and storing said formatted data units in said storage units, said at least one processor reading said formatted data units from said storage units, processing them and sending them as network data to at least one network physical line through said output network interface. On the basis of this network processor, it is possible to build switching systems by adding one network processor and at least one switch; it is also possible to build double density blades attached to two redundant switch fabrics which can also be accessed concurrently.
摘要:
A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.
摘要:
A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.
摘要:
Novel data structures, methods and apparatus for finding a full match between a search pattern and a pattern stored in a leaf of the search tree. A key is input, a hash function is performed on the key, a direct table (DT) is accessed, and a tree is walked through pattern search control blocks (PSCBs) until reaching a leaf. The search mechanism uses a set of data structures that can be located in a few registers and regular memory, and then used to build a Patricia tree structure that can be manipulated by a relatively simple hardware macro. Both keys and corresponding information needed for retrieval are stored in the Patricia tree structure. The hash function provides an n->n mapping of the bits of the key to the bits of the hash key. The data structure that is used to store the hash key and the related information in the tree is called a leaf. Each leaf corresponds to a single key that matches exactly with the input key. The leaf contains the key as well as additional information. The length of the leaf is programmable, as is the length of the key. The leaf is stored in random access memory and is implemented as a single memory entry. If the key is located in the direct table then it is called a direct leaf.
摘要:
A network device including an ingress processor and egress processor which receives frames of data over the network on an input port, and transfers it to an appropriate output port. The received frame is processed by an ingress processor which prepares an intra-switch frame for delivery to an egress processor serving a relevant output port of the switch. The intra-switch frame includes a frame header having parameters which have been determined by the ingress processor, as well as data indicating an address for the egress processor for beginning processing of the frame. By identifying to the egress processor processing which has already taken place, the egress processor is relieved of any redundant processing of the frame. The egress processor provides a hardware frame classifier which decodes the information contained in the intra-frame header to derive parameters which have been previously computed as well as a starting address for the egress processor. By reducing the amount of redundant processing of the egress processor, total device throughput delay is reduced.
摘要:
A system and method of moving information units from a network processor toward a data transmission network in a prioritized sequence which accommodates several different levels of service. The present invention includes a method and system for scheduling the egress of processed information units (or frames) from a network processing unit according to stored priorities associated with the various sources of the information units. The priorities in the preferred embodiment include a low latency service, a minimum bandwidth, a weighted fair queueing and a system for preventing a user from continuing to exceed his service levels over an extended period. The present invention includes a plurality of calendars with different service rates to allow a user to select the service rate which he desires. If a customer has chosen a high bandwidth for service, the customer will be included in a calendar which is serviced more often than if the customer has chosen a lower bandwidth.
摘要:
A system and method uses grouped calendars, flow queues, pointers and stored rules to process information packets so that different flow control characteristics associated with the information units are maintained.
摘要:
An apparatus is disclosed for transporting control information in a communications system. The apparatus comprises a network processor, a control point processor operatively coupled to the network processor, and a guided frame generated by the control point processor. The guided frame comprises a first section in which frame control information is placed and is used by the network processor to update at least one control register within the network processor; a second section carrying correlators assigned by the control point processor to correlate guided frame responses with their requests; a third section carrying one or a sequence of guided commands; and an End delimiter guided command.
摘要:
A control sub system, a plurality of interface processors, a plurality of media interfaces a plurality of queues are operatively coupled and responsive to a control signal to move data from a memory to a selected one of the plurality of queues.