Method and apparatus in a packet routing switch for controlling access at different data rates to a shared memory
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling access to a shared memory in a network system, comprising:
- at least one fast port interface circuit, each comprising a fast input port interface configured to sequentially receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a first data rate in segments of a first width, each fast input port interface comprising;
a fast interface register configured to temporarily store the data and address information; and
a command decode circuit configured to receive the command information and, in response, sequentially store the segments of data and address information in the fast interface register until the fast interface register is full, the fast interface register further configured to be read out in parallel to the shared memory; and
at least one slow port interface circuit, each configured to receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a second data rate in segments of the first width and transmit the data, address, and command information to a storage circuit that is shared among the slow port interface circuits, the shared storage circuit comprising a plurality of slow interface registers, wherein the segments of data are sequentially stored in one of the slow interface registers at the same time the contents of another slow interface register are read out in parallel to the shared memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling access to a shared memory in a network system is described. The apparatus includes at least one fast port interface circuit, each comprising a fast input port interface configured to sequentially receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a first data rate in segments of a first width. Each fast input port interface comprises a fast interface register configured to temporarily store the data and address information. Each fast input port interface further comprises a command decode circuit configured to receive the command information and, in response, sequentially store the segments of data and address information in the fast interface register until the fast interface register is full, the fast interface register further configured to be read out in parallel to the shared memory. The apparatus also includes at least one slow port interface circuit, each configured to receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a second data rate in segments of the first width and transmit the data, address, and command information to a storage circuit that is shared among the slow port interface circuits. The shared storage circuit comprises a plurality of slow interface registers, wherein the segments of data are sequentially stored in one of the slow interface registers at the same time the contents of another slow interface register are read out in parallel to the shared memory.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling access to a shared memory in a network system, comprising:
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at least one fast port interface circuit, each comprising a fast input port interface configured to sequentially receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a first data rate in segments of a first width, each fast input port interface comprising; a fast interface register configured to temporarily store the data and address information; and a command decode circuit configured to receive the command information and, in response, sequentially store the segments of data and address information in the fast interface register until the fast interface register is full, the fast interface register further configured to be read out in parallel to the shared memory; and at least one slow port interface circuit, each configured to receive data, address, and command information from a network client at a second data rate in segments of the first width and transmit the data, address, and command information to a storage circuit that is shared among the slow port interface circuits, the shared storage circuit comprising a plurality of slow interface registers, wherein the segments of data are sequentially stored in one of the slow interface registers at the same time the contents of another slow interface register are read out in parallel to the shared memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a network switching element, an apparatus for controlling access to a shared memory of the switching element, comprising:
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a fast port interface circuit configured to receive segments of data from the network at a fast data rate into a register; a second level arbiter circuit coupled to the fast port interface circuit wherein, when the register is filled contents of the register are transmitted in parallel to the second level arbiter circuit; and a slow port interface circuit configured to transfer segments of data from the network at a slow data rate; and a first level arbiter circuit coupled to the slow port interface circuit to receive the segments of data, wherein access to the first level arbiter is granted to the slow port interface circuit on a round-robin basis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of controlling access to a shared memory in a network switching circuit by network clients operating at different data rates, comprising the steps of:
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receiving segments of data at a fast data rate; storing the segments of data in a register; when the register is filled, writing contents of the register to a second level arbiter circuit; transferring the segments of data from the second level arbiter circuit to the shared memory; receiving segments of data at a slow data rate; transferring the segments of data to a first level arbiter circuit; and transferring the segments of data from the first level arbiter circuit to the second level arbiter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification