The network switch described herein provides a cell/packet switching architecture that switches between line interface cards across a meshed backplane. In one embodiment, the switching can be accomplished at, or near, line speed in a protocol independent manner. The protocol independent switching provides support for various applications including Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching, Internet Protocol (IP) switching, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) switching, Ethernet switching and frame relay switching. The architecture allows the network switch to provision service on a per port basis. In one embodiment, the network switch provides a non-blocking topology with both input and output queuing and per flow queuing at both ingress and egress. Per flow flow-control can be provided between ingress and egress scheduling. Strict priority, round robin, weighted round robin and earliest deadline first scheduling can be provided.
A method and apparatus for sending packets from traffic flows to queues in a network element is provided. Each traffic flow has a packet size parameter indicating a sizing constraint for its packets. The method includes the step of grouping the traffic flows into groups utilizing the packet size parameter of each traffic flow. The method further includes the step of sending packets only from traffic flows of one group to at least one designated queue. Traffic flows of the one group are identified utilizing the packet size parameter of each traffic flow.
A packet processing system architecture and method are provided. According to one implementation, the system can include a first and second memory elements and a processor. The first memory element may be utilized for storing: A plurality of packet quality of service indicators; A first packet quality of service field; and A second packet quality of service field. The second memory element is utilized for storing a plurality of second packet quality of service indicators. The processor is operatively coupled to the memory elements for receiving quality of service commands, wherein the service commands include a plurality of third packet quality of service indicators. The processor uses an index to search the second memory element and the search returns a subset of the plurality of second packet quality of service indicators. The index may be the egress marking set or a queue number. The processor then creates a modified data packet by determining which of the packet quality of service fields to insert in the data packet, wherein the determination is based on the one or more quality of service commands.
A method of linking at least two network switches is disclosed, wherein each network switch switches data traffic of a plurality of devices, through a plurality of couplings. The method comprises the steps of generating a data stream including an identifier to be sent from a first to a second network switch, generating a number identifying one of the couplings from the identifier, and using the identified coupling for transfer of the data stream.
A switch fabric system comprises a first chassis for receiving a plurality of line cards each having a plurality of ports and at least two switch fabric cards wherein each line card comprises a plurality of link ports for linking the line card with the switch fabric card. Each switch fabric card provides a switching bandwidth. The system comprises a management unit for managing the traffic on the switch fabric cards wherein the management unit removes the traffic from one switch fabric card if the one switch fabric card is to be removed while the other switch fabric card operates and transfers the traffic to the other switch fabric card.
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. Accounting logic is provided to one or more of the elements of the apparatus to aid in the tracking, storing, and reporting of network traffic.
