Abstract: A data processing system adapted for high-speed network communications, a method for managing a network interface and a network interface for such system, are provided, in to which processing of packets received over the network is achieved by embedded logic at the network interface level. Incoming packets on the network interface are parsed and classified as they are stored in a buffer memory. Functional logic coupled to the buffer memory on the network interface is enabled to access any data field within a packet in a single cycle, using pointers and packet classification information produced by the parsing and classifying step. Results of operations on the data fields in the packets are available before the packets are transferred out of the buffer memory.

Abstract: A data processing system adapted for high-speed network communications, a method for managing a network interface and a network interface for such system, are provided, in which processing of packets received over the network is achieved by embedded logic at the network interface level. Incoming packets on the network interface are parsed and classified as they are stored in a buffer memory. Functional logic coupled to the buffer memory on the network interface is enabled to access any data field within a packet in a single cycle, using pointers and packet classification information produced by the parsing and classifying step. Results of operations on the data fields in the packets are available before the packets are transferred out of the buffer memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for congestion and fault management with time-to-live (TTL) have been disclosed. Each time a packet is transferred into an Egress Port's Final Buffer, an associated TTL Timeout Counter will be loaded with a value. If the packet cannot be transferred out of the Egress Port before TTL timeout, it will be purged by removing a memory buffer pointer from the corresponding Virtual Output Queue (VOQ) entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for congestion and fault management with time-to-live (TTL) have been disclosed. Each time a packet is transferred into an Egress Port's Final Buffer, an associated TTL Timeout Counter will be loaded with a value. If the packet cannot be transferred out of the Egress Port before TTL timeout, it will be purged by removing a memory buffer pointer from the corresponding Virtual Output Queue (VOQ) entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unified final buffer with pointer-based and page-based scheme for traffic optimization have been disclosed.

Abstract: A serial buffer transports packets through queues capable of operating in a packet mode or a raw data mode. In packet mode, entire packets are stored in a queue. In raw data mode, packet header/delimiter information is not stored in the queue (only packet data is stored). Packets can be transferred out of a queue in response to a slave read request. The serial buffer constructs a packet header in response to the slave read request, and retrieves a specified amount of packet data from the selected queue. The serial buffer also transfers out packets as a bus master when a water level exceeds a water mark within a queue. The serial buffer constructs packet headers for these bus master transfers, which may be performed in a flush mode or a non-flush mode (in packet mode), or in a flush mode (in raw data mode).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to optimize class of service under multiple VCs with mixed reliable transfer (RT) and continuous transfer (CT) modes have been disclosed where outstanding packets to be processed is through a Retransmission Mapper with a VOQ read pointer realignment that can quickly optimize network traffic with multiple VCs and mixed RT/CT modes.

Abstract: A serial buffer includes queues configured to store data packets received from a host. A direct memory access (DMA) engine receives data packets from the highest priority queue having a water level that reaches a corresponding watermark. The DMA engine is configured in response to a DMA register set, which is selected from a plurality of DMA register sets. The DMA register set used to configure the DMA engine can be selected in response to information in the header of the read data packet, or in response to the queue from which the data packet is read. Each DMA register set defines a corresponding buffer in system memory, to which the data packet is transferred. Each DMA register set also defines whether the corresponding buffer is accessed in a wrap mode or a stop mode, and whether doorbell signals are generated in response to transfers to the last address in the corresponding buffer.

Abstract: A data processing system adapted for high-speed network communications, a method for managing a network interface and a network interface for such system, are provided, in which processing of packets received over the network is achieved by embedded logic at the network interface level. Incoming packets on the network interface are parsed and classified as they are stored in a buffer memory. Functional logic coupled to the buffer memory on the network interface is enabled to access any data field within a packet in a single cycle, using pointers and packet classification information produced by the parsing and classifying step. Results of operations on the data fields in the packets are available before the packets are transferred out of the buffer memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a networking module, a first block receives a serial digital media signal, and provides a parallel digital media signal based on the serial digital media signal. A second block, operative with the first block, stores the parallel digital media signal in a corresponding slot in an outgoing frame, and sends the outgoing frame in response to receiving an incoming frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic traffic management with packet classification have been disclosed where packet size, variation, and count may be used to select credit or packet based arbitration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programmable buffer with dynamic allocation to optimize system throughput with deadlock avoidance on switches have been disclosed where a buffer availability is based on a programmable reservation size for dynamic allocation.

Abstract: A serial buffer includes a first port configured to operate in accordance with a first serial protocol and a second port configured to operate in accordance with a second serial protocol. A first translation circuit of the serial buffer allows packets received on the first port to be translated to the second serial protocol, and then transferred to the second port. A second translation circuit of the serial buffer allows packets received on the second port to be translated to the first serial protocol, and then transferred to the first port. Translations may be performed in response to information included in the headers of the received packets, including source ID values, destination ID values and/or case number values.

Abstract: Within a serial buffer, request packets are written to available memory blocks of a memory buffer, which are identified by a free buffer pointer list. When a request packet is written to a memory block, the memory block is removed from the free buffer pointer list, and added to a used buffer pointer list. Memory blocks in the used buffer pointer list are read, thereby transmitting the associated request packets from the serial buffer. When a request packet is read from a memory block, the memory block is removed from the used buffer pointer list and added to a request buffer pointer list. If a corresponding response packet is received within a timeout period, the memory block is transferred from the request buffer pointer list to the free buffer pointer list. Otherwise, the memory block is transferred from the request buffer pointer list to the used buffer pointer list.

Abstract: A power management circuit for managing power of a network interface is provided. The network interface includes a medium interface unit coupled to a network media supporting at least a high speed protocol and a lower speed protocol. The power management logic includes logic to determine that an event signalling entry of the medium interface unit into the lower speed protocol has occurred; and logic to force the medium interface unit into the lower speed protocol in response to a determination that the event has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive buffer management for traffic optimization on switches have been disclosed where pattern injection and traffic monitoring with forced congestion allows optimizing buffers while accounting for actual system delays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective packet discard have been disclosed where two bits are added to a packet to indicate various discard options.

Abstract: A serial buffer monitors an incoming stream of packets to identify single missing packets and multiple consecutive missing packets. Upon detecting multiple consecutive missing packets, an interrupt is generated, thereby stopping the data transfer. Upon detecting a single missing packet, a single missing packet identifier is inserted into the packet header of the packet that resulted in identification of the single missing packet. The incoming packets, including any inserted single missing packet identifiers, are written to a queue. When the water level reaches the water mark of the queue, the stored packets are read to create an outgoing packet stream. When a packet read from the queue includes an inserted single missing packet identifier, a dummy packet (e.g., a packet having a data payload of all zeros) is inserted into the outgoing packet stream. As a result, real-time applications are capable of processing the outgoing packet stream in a constant fashion.

Abstract: A power management circuit for managing power of a network interface is provided. The network interface includes a medium interface unit coupled to a network media supporting at least a high speed protocol and a lower speed protocol. The power management logic includes logic to determine that an event signalling entry of the medium interface unit into the lower speed protocol has occurred; and logic to force the medium interface unit into the lower speed protocol in response to a determination that the event has occurred.

Abstract: A serial buffer having a parser and multiple parallel processing paths is provided. The parser receives incoming packets, determines the type of each packet, and then routes each packet to a processing path that corresponds with the determined packet type. Packet types may include blocking priority packets (which implement bus slave operations), non-blocking priority packets (which access on-chip resources of the serial buffer) and data packets (which implement bus master operations). Because the different packet types are processed on parallel processing paths, the processing of one packet type does not interfere with the processing of other packet types. As a result, blocking conditions within the serial buffer are minimized.