Abstract: A network switch for network communications, wherein the network switch includes at least one data port interface supporting a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate and a second data rate. The at least one data port interface includes an ingress logic circuit in communication with the at least one data port interface for generating at least one of an ingress address resolution and a filtering search request. A CPU interface is provided and configured to communicate with a CPU. A shared hierarchical memory structure including an internal memory in communication with the at least one data port interface, and an external memory in communication with a memory management unit via an external memory interface is provided. A communication channel is provided for communicating data between the at least one data port interface, the internal memory, the CPU interface, and the memory management unit.

Abstract: A network switch for network communications includes at least one first data port interface, wherein the a least one first data port interface supports a plurality of first data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate. At least one second data port interface is provided, wherein the at least one second data port interface supports a plurality of second data ports transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. A flow control unit is provided, wherein at least one of the first data ports and at least one of the second data ports are linked together with a plurality of ports on a second network switch forming a trunk group that is configured by the flow control unit to statistically distribute a data load transmitted across the trunk group.

Abstract: A data switch for network communications includes a first data port interface which supports at least one data port which transmits and receives data. A second data port interface is also provided supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. A common memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and communicates data from the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an common memory. A communication channel is provided, with the communication channel communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, and the memory management unit.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of sending packets between ports on trunked network switches. A trunk connection is provided between first and second switches, with the trunk connection including at least two of the plurality of ports from the first switch being connected to at least two of the plurality of ports of the second switch. A packet is received at an ingress submodule of the first switch, and a lookup is performed on one of a source address and a destination address of the packet based upon a lookup table provided in the ingress submodule. A rules tag bit is then compared to a rules table defining which trunk port of the trunk bundle will be used for communication. The rules tag determines which address bits will be used to identify a trunk port for communication.

Abstract: A network switch and a method thereof for network communications include a first data port interface and a second data port interface supporting a data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate and a second data rate, respectively. The switch has a CPU interface to communicate with a CPU and a memory management unit to communicate data from at least one of the first and second data port interfaces and a memory. The switch includes a communication channel communicating data and messaging information between the first and second data port interfaces and the memory management unit and lookup tables, including an address resolution lookup table and a VLAN table. The first or second data port interfaces determine an egress port for an incoming data packet from a search of the address resolution lookup table and the VLAN table using a VLAN ID from the incoming data packet.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A network switch and a method thereof for network communications include a first data port interface and a second data port interface supporting a data port transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate and a second data rate, respectively. The switch has a CPU interface to communicate with a CPU and a memory management unit to communicate data from at least one of the first and second data port interfaces and a memory. The switch includes a communication channel communicating data and messaging information between the first and second data port interfaces and the memory management unit and lookup tables, including an address resolution lookup table and a VLAN table. The first or second data port interfaces determine an egress port for an incoming data packet from a search of the address resolution lookup table and the VLAN table using a VLAN ID from the incoming data packet.

Abstract: A network switch for network communications includes a first data port interface supporting a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate. A second data port interface supports a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. A CPU interface is configured to communicate with a CPU, and an internal memory communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, including an external memory interface, for communicating data from at least one of the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an external memory. A communication channel is provided, for communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, the internal memory, and the memory management unit.

Abstract: A network switch for switching packets from a source to a destination includes a source port for receiving an incoming packet from a source, a destination port that contains a path to a destination for the packet, and a programmable counter unit for counting a number of packets of selected packet types which are received by the switch.

Abstract: A method for preventing out-of-ordering of frames in a network switch, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a first portion of a string of packets from a source port on a first port, transferring the first portion of the string of packets to a second port for transmission to a destination, and sending an indicator from the first port to the second port. The method further includes the steps of receiving the indicator at the second port, sending a response indicator from the second port to the first port, and receiving a second portion of the string of packets from the source port on a third port. Additionally, a method for preventing out-of-ordering of frames in network switch, wherein the method includes receiving packets on a first ingress port from a source port, transmitting the packets from the first ingress port to an egress port for transmission to a destination, and determining to switch the receiving of the packets to a second ingress port.

Abstract: A network switch for network communications includes a first data port interface supporting a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate. A second data port interface supports a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. A CPU interface is configured to communicate with a CPU, and an internal memory communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, including an external memory interface, for communicating data from at least one of the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an external memory. A communication channel is provided, for communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, the internal memory, and the memory management unit.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment, wherein the method includes the steps of determining if a packet flow in a network switch exceeds a predetermined threshold. Then the method includes the step of determining if the packet flow is a candidate for link switching from a first link to a second link if the packet flow exceeds the predetermined threshold. Additionally, the method includes switching the packet flow from the first link to the second link if the packet flow is determined to be a candidate for link switching. Additionally, a method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment including the steps of determining a length of a first frame and a length of a second frame entering the link aggregation environment. Thereafter, determining a flow rate of the first frame and the second frame entering the link aggregation environment.

Abstract: A method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment, wherein the method includes the steps of determining if a packet flow in a network switch exceeds a predetermined threshold. Then the method includes the step of determining if the packet flow is a candidate for link switching from a first link to a second link if the packet flow exceeds the predetermined threshold. Additionally, the method includes switching the packet flow from the first link to the second link if the packet flow is determined to be a candidate for link switching. Additionally, a method for load balancing in a link aggregation environment including the steps of determining a length of a first frame and a length of a second frame entering the link aggregation environment. Thereafter, determining a flow rate of the first frame and the second frame entering the link aggregation environment.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A method of filtering data packets in a network device is disclosed. An incoming packet is received from a port and the incoming packet is inspected and packet fields are extracted. The incoming packet is classified based on the extracted packet fields and action instructions are generated. The incoming packet is then modified based on the action instructions. Further, the inspection and extraction includes applying inspection mask windows to any portion of the incoming packet to extract programmable packet fields.

Abstract: A network switch for switching packets from a source to a destination includes a source port for receiving an incoming packet from a source, a destination port that contains a path to a destination for the packet, and a programmable counter unit for counting a number of packets of selected packet types which are received by the switch.

Abstract: A method of filtering data packets in a network device is disclosed. An incoming packet is received from a port and the incoming packet is inspected and packet fields are extracted. The incoming packet is classified based on the extracted packet fields and action instructions are generated. The incoming packet is then modified based on the action instructions. Further, the inspection and extraction includes applying inspection mask windows to any portion of the incoming packet to extract programmable packet fields.

Abstract: A network switch for switching packets from a source to a destination includes a source port for receiving an incoming packet from a source, a destination port which contains a path to a destination for the packet, and a filter unit for constructing and applying a filter to selected fields of the incoming packet. The filter unit further includes filtering logic for selecting desired fields of the incoming packet and copying selected field information therefrom. The filtering logic also constructs a field value based upon the selected fields, and applies a plurality stored field masks on the field value. The switch additionally includes a rules table which contains a plurality of rules therein. The filtering logic is configured to perform lookups of the rules table in order to determine actions which must be taken based upon the result of a comparison between the field value and the stored filter masks and the rules table lookup.