Data cache management mechanism for packet forwarding
First Claim
1. A method of managing a cache memory in a communication device including a logic device, a main memory, an incoming data interface and an outgoing data interface, the method comprising:
- resetting a flag indicative of lack of incoming data for generating a packet for forwarding;
receiving the incoming data by the incoming data interface;
storing the incoming data in the main memory;
transferring the incoming data from the main memory into a cache buffer within the cache memory, the cache buffer having a buffer size;
setting the flag indicative of the incoming data received for generating the packet for forwarding;
processing the incoming data to generate the packet in the cache buffer for forwarding, the packet having a packet size;
writing back the packet from the cache buffer into the main memory;
first invalidating a portion of the cache buffer;
transmitting the packet by the outgoing data interface after the first invalidating; and
second invalidating, after the transmitting, the cache buffer for the buffer size if the flag is not set by the setting.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a method of managing a cache memory. The method comprising resetting a flag indicative of lack of incoming data for generating a packet for forwarding; receiving the incoming data; storing the incoming data in the main memory; transferring the incoming data from the main memory into a cache buffer within the cache memory, the cache buffer having a buffer size; setting the flag indicative of the incoming data received for generating the packet for forwarding; processing the incoming data to generate the packet in the cache buffer for forwarding, the packet having a packet size; writing back the packet from the cache buffer into the main memory; first invalidating a portion of the cache buffer; transmitting the packet after the first invalidating; and second invalidating, after the transmitting, the cache buffer for the buffer size if the flag is not set by the setting.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of managing a cache memory in a communication device including a logic device, a main memory, an incoming data interface and an outgoing data interface, the method comprising:
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resetting a flag indicative of lack of incoming data for generating a packet for forwarding; receiving the incoming data by the incoming data interface; storing the incoming data in the main memory; transferring the incoming data from the main memory into a cache buffer within the cache memory, the cache buffer having a buffer size; setting the flag indicative of the incoming data received for generating the packet for forwarding; processing the incoming data to generate the packet in the cache buffer for forwarding, the packet having a packet size; writing back the packet from the cache buffer into the main memory; first invalidating a portion of the cache buffer; transmitting the packet by the outgoing data interface after the first invalidating; and second invalidating, after the transmitting, the cache buffer for the buffer size if the flag is not set by the setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A communication device for forwarding a packet, the communication device comprising:
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a logic device operable to reset a flag indicative of lack of incoming data for generating the packet for forwarding; an incoming data interface operable to receive the incoming data; a main memory for storing the incoming data; a cache memory including a cache buffer, the cache buffer having a buffer size; an outgoing data interface for forwarding the packet; the logic device being operable to transfer the incoming data from the main memory into the cache buffer, to set the flag indicative if the incoming data are received for generating the packet for forwarding, and to process the incoming data to generate the packet in the cache buffer for forwarding, the packet having a packet size; the logic device being operable to write back the packet from the cache buffer into the main memory, and to first invalidate a portion of the cache buffer, prior to the outgoing data interface transmitting the packet; the logic device being operable to invalidate, after the outgoing data interface transmits the packet, the cache buffer for the buffer size if the flag is not set. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification