Abstract: A pointer manager is described. The pointer manager includes write circuitry to enter, into a queue that is implemented with a first memory, a pointer value that a read hub has exhausted the use of. The pointer manager also includes read circuitry to remove, from said queue, a pointer value that is to be sent to a write hub. The pointer manager also includes write circuitry to add, to a link list that is maintained with a second memory, a pointer value that is to be sent to the write hub. The pointer manager also includes read circuitry to obtain, from said link list, a pointer value that is to be sent to a read hub.

Abstract: A scheduler to manage the reading activity of a plurality of read hubs is described. Each read hub is capable of reading a piece of a packet from a different memory bank within a same cycle of operation so that pieces of different packets can be read from the memory banks within the same cycle of operation. The scheduler: 1) defines each read hub as an active read hub or inactive read hub, wherein an active read hub is engaged to read at least one packet from the memory banks and an inactive read hub is not so engaged; 2) defines each active read hub as a low speed mode read hub or a high speed mode read hub, wherein, a first packet read by a high speed mode read hub is read from the memory banks at a faster rate than a second packet read by a low speed mode read hub; and, 3) dynamically changes the number of active read hubs, the number of low speed mode read hubs and the number of high speed mode read hubs in light of traffic conditions.

Abstract: A method and management port for an indirect loop protocol associated with an interconnect device. In one embodiment, a method to handle a request sent to an interconnect device includes receiving the request at a destination switch from a host network adapter; generating a response to the request in the destination switch; and returning the response to the host network adapter, wherein the destination switch includes a management port for addressing the interconnect device that implements an indirect loop protocol.

Abstract: A networking system includes a plurality of ports, each adapted to send and receive data. A switch core has a first channel configured to receive a logical input flow from each of the plurality of input ports, and has a second channel configured to receive a raw input flow from each of the plurality of input ports. Each logical input flow is carried by its corresponding raw input flow. A plurality of port mirrors are selectable from the plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of port mirrors is configured to produce a duplicate copy of at least one of the logical input flow and the raw input flow available at a selected port.

Abstract: A write hub is described. The write hub has a plurality of registers. Each one of the registers helps generate a write address to a different memory bank from amongst a plurality of memory banks. Each of the registers are arranged in a ring so that each register can pass a pointer value toward a next register within the ring. The ring of registers further comprise a multiplexer between each of the registers. Each multiplexer has an output path that flows toward a next register within the ring relative to the multiplexer. Each multiplexer can introduce a pointer value to the ring at a next register within the ring.

Abstract: An interconnect device for transmitting data packets includes a plurality of ports, a hub, and an arbiter. The hub is configured to connect the plurality of ports together. The arbiter is coupled to the hub for controlling transmission of data packets between the hub and the ports. A reset is provided in at least one of the ports. The reset is in communication with the arbiter such that arbiter can reset the port in response to a detected error in the port.

Abstract: An input port is described having an input policing unit that checks if a virtual lane has a sufficient number of credits to carry an input packet received by the input policing unit. The input port also has a request manager that generates a request for the packet to be switched by a switching core. The input port also has a packet Rx unit that stores the packet into a memory by writing blocks of data into the memory. The input port also has a packet Tx unit that receives a grant in response to the request and reads the packet from the memory in response to the grant by reading the blocks of data. The input port also has a pointer RAM manager that provides addresses for free blocks of data to said packet Rx unit and receives addresses of freed blocks of data from said packet Tx unit.