摘要:
The present invention provides a network device, such as a network switch or a router, having a high degree of modularity and reliability. The network device includes a data plane and a control plane. The data plane relays datagrams between a pair of receive and transmit network interface ports. The control plane runs management and control operations, such as routing and policing algorithms which provide the data plane with instructions on how to relay cell/packets/frames. Further, the control plane includes an internal control device that is primarily responsible for managing the internal resources of the network device, and a separate external control device that is primarily responsible for operations relating to the interfacing of the network device with an external environment.
摘要:
An apparatus comprising system memory and a cache memory maintain system coherency for data stored in a subset of memory elements utilizing software coherency control, while system coherency for all remaining memory elements is maintained utilizing hardware coherency control.