Static data item processing
First Claim
1. A system for performing a modification to a packet comprising:
- a first memory configured to receive data comprising a portion of the packet;
one or more data modification units configured to received and modify the output of the first memory to create modified data;
a second memory configured to receive the modified data from the data modification unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for packet processing is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention the method and apparatus is implemented in plurality of pipeline stages, each stage or group of stages being configured to a particular processing operation. Each stage may operate simultaneously, if data is available, and independently. Common data or control words are shared between the various stages of the pipeline to provide control an supplemental data to each processing stage in the pipeline. In one embodiment the processing pipeline includes one or more dynamic stages and one or more static stages. The dynamic stages are configured to modify, remove, or supplement portions of the packet as the packet or portion thereof passes through the pipeline with the aid of a more flexible control structure. The static stages are configured to modify, remove, or supplement portions of the packet as the packet or portion thereof passes through the pipeline with the aid of a hardwired system. A control system is associated with the packet processing system. The control system includes a central portion and a distributed portion that is associated with each pipeline stage. High speed operation is achieved through the use of hardware based operation while processing flexibility is provided by control word association at each processing stage.
99 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for performing a modification to a packet comprising:
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a first memory configured to receive data comprising a portion of the packet;
one or more data modification units configured to received and modify the output of the first memory to create modified data;
a second memory configured to receive the modified data from the data modification unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for modifying a portion of a packet comprising:
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a first data storage having two or more storage locations;
a first set of one or more data selectors connected to received the output of at least one of the two or more storage locations;
one or more data modifiers connected to receive the output of at least one of the first set of one or more data selectors and configured to create modified data;
a second set of one or more data selectors connected to receive the modified output of at least one of the one or more modifiers; and
a second data storage having two or more storage locations and the second data storage is configured to store the output of at least one of the second set of one or more data selectors. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for modifying data contained in one or more fields in a packet header or packet tag that is passing through a processing pipeline comprising:
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selectively directing data to a modification unit;
selectively modifying the data based on control signals, the control signals determining when the modifiers will modify data;
outputting modified data from the modification unit to a subsequent portion of the processing pipeline. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for selectively modifying a portion of a packet as portions of the packet pass through a packet processing system:
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analyzing the packet to determine processing instructions for the packet;
storing the processing instructions in a first memory;
loading a portion of a packet into a processing module;
providing control instructions to the processing module;
processing the portion of the packet with the processing module to create a modified portion of the packet;
outputting the modified portion from the processing module. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification