Flexible method for processing data packets in a network routing system for enhanced efficiency and monitoring capability

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a network device such as a router or switch provides efficient data packet handling capability. The network device includes one or more input ports for receiving data packets to be routed, as well as one or more output ports for transmitting data packets. The network device includes an integrated port controller integrated circuit for routing packets. The integrated circuit includes an interface circuit, a received packets circuit, a buffer manager circuit for receiving data packets from the received packets circuit and transmitting data packets in one or more buffers and reading data packets from the one or more buffers. The integrated circuit also includes a rate shaper counter for storing credit for a traffic class, so that the integrated circuit can support input and/or output rate shaping.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a data packet over a port of the network device;   determining, by the network device, a forward identifier for the data packet;   selecting, by the network device, one or more bits of a port number associated with the data packet;   performing, by the network device, a logical operation between the one or more selected bits and the forward identifier to generate a modified forward identifier; and   using, by the network device, the modified forward identifier for trunking.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the logical operation is an OR operation. 
     
     
         3 . A device comprising:
 a set of ports for receiving and forwarding one or more data packets, from the device;   a memory; and   a controller adapted to:   determine a forward identifier for a data packet received by the device;   select one or more bits of a port number associated with the received data packet;   perform a logical operation between the one or more selected bits and the forward identifier to generate a modified forward identifier; and   use the modified forward identifier for trunking.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the logical operation is an OR operation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the using comprises performing a lookup in a memory in the network device using the modified forward identifier. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the network device is adapted to perform a lookup in the memory using the modified forward identifier.