System and method for controlling data paths of a network processor subsystem
First Claim
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1. A network system comprising:
- a plurality of network processor interfaces for transmitting and receiving data cell sequences,a switch fabric interface;
an ingress path providing a plurality of ingress queues between the plurality of network processor interfaces and the switch fabric interface combining the transmitted data cells of the network processors to a single data cell sequence; and
an egress path providing a plurality of egress queues and a memory controller between the plurality of the switch fabric interface and network processor interfaces for distributing data cell sequences from a received data cell sequence to the respective network processor interfaces, the egress path comprising a first egress path handling control signals and a second egress path handling data signals.
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Abstract
A heterogeneous and scalable bridge capable of translating a plurality of network protocols is adapted for coupling to a network switch fabric. The bridge uses at least one egress buffer interface and can perform port aggregation and bandwidth matching for various different port standards. The bridge is adapted for both networking and storage area networking protocols. A control unit is implemented with the bridge is able to identify control and flow information from different protocols and adapt them to the respective interface to which they are to be transmitted.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A network system comprising:
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a plurality of network processor interfaces for transmitting and receiving data cell sequences, a switch fabric interface; an ingress path providing a plurality of ingress queues between the plurality of network processor interfaces and the switch fabric interface combining the transmitted data cells of the network processors to a single data cell sequence; and an egress path providing a plurality of egress queues and a memory controller between the plurality of the switch fabric interface and network processor interfaces for distributing data cell sequences from a received data cell sequence to the respective network processor interfaces, the egress path comprising a first egress path handling control signals and a second egress path handling data signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling the ingress and egress data paths of a network processor interface system, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of network processor interfaces for transmitting and receiving data cell sequences, providing a switch fabric interface; providing an ingress path having a plurality of ingress queues between the plurality of network processor interfaces and the switch fabric interface combining the transmitted data calls of the network processors to a single data cell sequence; providing an egress path having a plurality of egress queues and a memory controller between the plurality of the switch fabric interface and network processor interfaces for distributing data cell sequences from a received data cell sequence to the respective network processor interfaces; and splitting the egress path into a first path handling control data cells and a second path handling data cells. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification