Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to an aggregate bandwidth utilization control scheme including fair share bandwidth allocation and dynamic allocation of bandwidth in response to detected traffic utilization. In one implementation, the present invention includes a weighted, fair share aggregate bandwidth allocation mechanism that dynamically responds to observed bandwidth utilization to provide unutilized or excess bandwidth to flows and partitions that require it. In another implementation, the present invention features a weighted fair share allocation scheme for hierarchical partition configurations. In other implementations, the present invention provides a per-flow target rate assignment mechanism that prevents spiraling decline of data flow rates.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to enhanced random early discard mechanisms implemented in various networked devices including end-systems such as servers and intermediate systems such as gateways and routers. In one implementation, the present invention enables a random early discard mechanism that intelligently biases the drop probabilities of select packets based on one or more application-aware and/or flow-aware metrics or state conditions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets. In particular implementations, the control plane and data plane implement a server-side triggered policy caching mechanism that allows for previous classification policy decisions made for previous data flows to be applied to subsequent new flows.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to enhanced random early discard mechanisms implemented in various networked devices including end-systems such as servers and intermediate systems such as gateways and routers. In one implementation, the present invention enables a random early discard mechanism that intelligently biases the drop probabilities of select packets based on one or more application-aware and/or flow-aware metrics or state conditions.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the invention provides a process for lockless processing of hierarchical bandwidth partitions configurations in multiple processor architectures. In one embodiment, the process runs in an NPU's data plane and receives a packet for a partition from a child partition through a work queue. The process determines a suggested target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition's child partitions, based in part on a count of active child partitions, if a predefined time interval has passed. The process adopts a target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition suggested by the receiving partition's parent partition, if the receiving partition is not a root partition and the predefined time interval has passed. The process then transmits the packet to the receiving partition's parent partition through the work queue, if the receiving partition is not a root partition. Otherwise, the process transmits the packet to a port.

Abstract: Packet flow rate control techniques are enhanced by the interactive and early invocation of packet queuing to control short flows of packets and to eliminate undershoot and overshoot of a targeted flow rate. Packet queuing involves the scheduled release of packets in accordance with flow policies (priorities) to achieve a pre-selected outgoing target flow rate. The combination of controlled packet queuing and packet flow rate control with appropriate mechanisms for favoring one over the other improves the efficiency of data transmission.

Abstract: A method for use in a network device that uses a proportional/integral/derivative (PID)-type algorithm to compute one or more flow control parameters intended to achieve a target rate for a data flow.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the invention provides a process for lockless processing of hierarchical bandwidth partitions configurations in multiple processor architectures. In one embodiment, the process runs in an NPU's data plane and receives a packet for a partition from a child partition through a work queue. The process determines a suggested target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition's child partitions, based in part on a count of active child partitions, if a predefined time interval has passed. The process adopts a target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition suggested by the receiving partition's parent partition, if the receiving partition is not a root partition and the predefined time interval has passed. The process then transmits the packet to the receiving partition's parent partition through the work queue, if the receiving partition is not a root partition. Otherwise, the process transmits the packet to a port.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets. In particular implementations, the control plane and data plane implement, a server-side triggered policy caching mechanism that allows for previous classification policy decisions made for previous data flows to be applied to subsequent new flows.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to an aggregate bandwidth utilization control scheme including fair share bandwidth allocation and dynamic allocation of bandwidth in response to detected traffic utilization. In one implementation, the present invention includes a weighted, fair share aggregate bandwidth allocation mechanism that dynamically responds to observed bandwidth utilization to provide unutilized or excess bandwidth to flows and partitions that require it. In another implementation, the present invention features a weighted fair share allocation scheme for hierarchical partition configurations. In other implementations, the present invention provides a per-flow target rate assignment mechanism that prevents spiraling decline of data flow rates.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets.

Abstract: Packet flow rate control techniques are enhanced by the interactive and early invocation of packet queuing to control short flows of packets and to eliminate undershoot and overshoot of a targeted flow rate. Packet queuing involves the scheduled release of packets in accordance with flow policies (priorities) to achieve a preselected outgoing target flow rate. The combination of controlled packet queuing and packet flow rate control with appropriate mechanisms for favoring one over the other improves the efficiency of data transmission.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating the configuration of parameters controlling utilization of a network resource. In one embodiment, the present invention allows a network administrator to quickly and easily configure effective bandwidth utilization controls and observe the results of applying them. According to one embodiment, a network administrator is presented with an interface displaying the most significant traffic types with respect to a bandwidth utilization or other network statistic and allowing for the association of bandwidth utilization controls to these traffic types.