Systems for supporting packet processing operations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for supporting virtual routing of a packet comprising:
- a register for holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses;
comparison logic for comparing an address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses held in the register, and deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet; and
assertion logic for asserting a first flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet;
wherein, if the first flag is asserted, a processor in the system executes a first program sequence to route and not bridge the packet;
wherein, if the first flag is not asserted, the processor in the system executes a second program sequence to bridge and not route the packet;
wherein the packet has a header and a second flag derived from the first flag is inserted into the packet header for use by downstream devices encountering the packet in performing a packet processing function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Several systems for supporting packet processing are described. A first system supports virtual routing of a packet. A second system supports de-multiplexing of a packet. A third system supports advanced MPLS label processing of a packet.
40 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for supporting virtual routing of a packet comprising:
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a register for holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses; comparison logic for comparing an address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses held in the register, and deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet; and assertion logic for asserting a first flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet; wherein, if the first flag is asserted, a processor in the system executes a first program sequence to route and not bridge the packet; wherein, if the first flag is not asserted, the processor in the system executes a second program sequence to bridge and not route the packet; wherein the packet has a header and a second flag derived from the first flag is inserted into the packet header for use by downstream devices encountering the packet in performing a packet processing function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of supporting virtual routing of a packet comprising the steps of:
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holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses; comparing an address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses; deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet; and asserting a first flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet; wherein, if the first flag is asserted, a processor in the system executes a first program sequence to route and not bridge the packet; wherein, if the first flag is not asserted, the processor in the system executes a second program sequence to bridge and not route the packet; wherein the packet has a header and a second flag derived from the first flag is inserted into the packet header for use by downstream devices encountering the packet in performing a packet processing function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification