Flexible header protocol for network switch
First Claim
1. A network switch for network communications, said network switch comprising:
- a first data port interface, said first data port interface supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate;
a second data port interface, said second data port interface supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate;
a CPU interface, said CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU;
a memory management unit for communicating data from at least one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface and a memory;
a communication channel, said communication channel for communicating data and messaging information between said first data port interface, said second data port interface, and said memory management unit;
a plurality of lookup tables, said lookup tables including an address resolution lookup table and a VLAN table,wherein one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface is configured to determine forwarding information from a flexible length header for an incoming data packet received at a port of said one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface, and is configured to determine the forwarding information by shifting information field positions read from the flexible length header.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data switch for network communications includes a first data port interface which supports at least one data port which transmits and receives data. A second data port interface is also provided supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. A common memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and communicates data from the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an common memory. At least two sets of communication channels are provided, with each of the communication channels communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, and the memory management unit. One of the first data port interface and the second data port interface is configured to determine forwarding information from a flexible length header for an incoming data packet received at a port of the one data port interface, and is configured to determine the forwarding information by shifting the information field positions read from the flexible length header.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A network switch for network communications, said network switch comprising:
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a first data port interface, said first data port interface supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate; a second data port interface, said second data port interface supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate; a CPU interface, said CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU; a memory management unit for communicating data from at least one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface and a memory; a communication channel, said communication channel for communicating data and messaging information between said first data port interface, said second data port interface, and said memory management unit; a plurality of lookup tables, said lookup tables including an address resolution lookup table and a VLAN table, wherein one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface is configured to determine forwarding information from a flexible length header for an incoming data packet received at a port of said one of said first data port interface and said second data port interface, and is configured to determine the forwarding information by shifting information field positions read from the flexible length header. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of switching data in a network switch, said method comprising:
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receiving an incoming data packet at a first port of a switch; reading a first packet portion of the incoming data packet, less than a full packet length, to determine particular packet information, said particular packet information including a source address and a destination address; obtaining an egress port or egress ports based on said particular packet information; and sending the incoming data packet to the egress port or egress ports; wherein the incoming data packet has a flexible length header, the first packet portion is read from the flexible length header and the particular packet information is read by shifting information field positions to account for the flexible length of the flexible length header. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A network switch comprising:
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means for receiving an incoming data packet at a first port of the switch; means for reading a first packet portion of the incoming data packet, less than a full packet length, to determine particular packet information, said particular packet information including a source address and a destination address; means for obtaining an egress port or egress ports based on said particular packet information; and means for sending the incoming data packet to the egress port or egress ports; wherein the incoming data packet has a flexible length header, the first packet portion is read by the means for reading from the flexible length header and the particular packet information is read by the means for reading by shifting information field positions to account for the flexible length of the flexible length header. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification