Abstract: A computer system, computer readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for dynamically degrading a link between multiple processing devices to facilitate uninterrupted service between the multiple processing devices. The method includes determining a number of undegraded lanes within the link. The method also includes determining, subject to the number of undegraded lanes, a first operational degrade mode for the link. The method further includes initiating a retrain of the link to a second operational degrade mode. The method also includes dynamically, subject to the first degrade mode of operation, determining one or more message packet types to transmit through the link during the link retrain, thereby facilitating uninterrupted service between the multiple processing devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes using a transmitter to send data from the transmitter through a plurality of lanes to a receiver using a synchronous operation mode that includes sending the data from the transmitter through the plurality of lanes to the receiver in a synchronous transmission manner that relies on an alignment between a transmitter clock frequency and a receiver clock frequency. A synchronous operation performance analysis (SOPA) is performed during the synchronous operation mode. A switch from the synchronous operation mode to an asynchronous operation mode is made based on a result of performing the SOPA. The asynchronous operation mode includes sending the data from the transmitter through the plurality of lanes to the receiver without requiring alignment between the transmitter clock frequency and the receiver clock frequency.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes using a transmitter to send data from the transmitter through a plurality of lanes to a receiver using a synchronous operation mode that includes sending the data from the transmitter through the plurality of lanes to the receiver in a synchronous transmission manner that relies on an alignment between a transmitter clock frequency and a receiver clock frequency. A synchronous operation performance analysis (SOPA) is performed during the synchronous operation mode. A switch from the synchronous operation mode to an asynchronous operation mode is made based on a result of performing the SOPA. The asynchronous operation mode includes sending the data from the transmitter through the plurality of lanes to the receiver without requiring alignment between the transmitter clock frequency and the receiver clock frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing frame alteration commands in a communications network processor. A set of frame alteration instruction templates is defined. A frame alteration instruction template is identified based upon the packet type recognition result of a received packet. A frame alteration instruction stream is generated utilizing the frame alteration instruction template. Each of the frame alteration instruction templates includes different frame alteration commands to be performed on a packet. Pointers to indirect data bytes to be inserted in a packet are stored in the frame alteration instruction templates. The generated frame alteration instruction stream is used by hardware to provide frame alterations.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a pointer that includes a first keytype field and a second keytype field; and (2) assigning a value to the second keytype field of the pointer based on a tabletype field of an updated table. The updated table is an updated version of a first table written in a memory, and the first keytype field of the pointer has a value assigned based on a tabletype field of the first table. The first method further includes the step of employing the second keytype field of the pointer to point to the updated table. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing predefined actions based upon packet classification and lookup results in a communications network processor. A plurality of sets of rules is defined. Each rule set includes at least one rule and each rule has a set of masked compares for comparing results of hits and misses of table lookups. Each masked compare set has an associated field for selecting an action. The action defines a set of one or more commands and each command defines a processing operation. One rule set is identified based upon the packet classification result for a received packet. When one of the rules is identified having a match of the masked compares, then the action of associated with the identified rule is selected. Otherwise a default action is provided responsive to no rule of the identified rule set having a match of the masked compares.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a pointer that includes a first keytype field and a second keytype field; and (2) assigning a value to the second keytype field of the pointer based on a tabletype field of an updated table. The updated table is an updated version of a first table written in a memory, and the first keytype field of the pointer has a value assigned based on a tabletype field of the first table. The first method further includes the step of employing the second keytype field of the pointer to point to the updated table. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing frame alteration commands in a communications network processor. A set of frame alteration instruction templates is defined. A frame alteration instruction template is identified based upon the packet type recognition result of a received packet. A frame alteration instruction stream is generated utilizing the frame alteration instruction template. Each of the frame alteration instruction templates includes different frame alteration commands to be performed on a packet. Pointers to indirect data bytes to be inserted in a packet are stored in the frame alteration instruction templates. The generated frame alteration instruction stream is used by hardware to provide frame alterations.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a pointer that includes a first keytype field and a second keytype field; and (2) assigning a value to the second keytype field of the pointer based on a tabletype field of an updated table. The updated table is an updated version of a first table written in a memory, and the first keytype field of the pointer has a value assigned based on a tabletype field of the first table. The first method further includes the step of employing the second keytype field of the pointer to point to the updated table. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing predefined actions based upon packet classification and lookup results in a communications network processor. A plurality of sets of rules is defined. Each rule set includes at least one rule and each rule has a set of masked compares for comparing results of hits and misses of table lookups. Each masked compare set has an associated field for selecting an action. The action defines a set of one or more commands and each command defines a processing operation. One rule set is identified based upon the packet classification result for a received packet. When one of the rules is identified having a match of the masked compares, then the action of associated with the identified rule is selected. Otherwise a default action is provided responsive to no rule of the identified rule set having a match of the masked compares.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing frame alteration commands in a communications network processor. A set of frame alteration instruction templates is defined. A frame alteration instruction template is identified based upon the packet type recognition result of a received packet. A frame alteration instruction stream is generated utilizing the frame alteration instruction template. Each of the frame alteration instruction templates includes different frame alteration commands to be performed on a packet. Pointers to indirect data bytes to be inserted in a packet are stored in the frame alteration instruction templates. The generated frame alteration instruction stream is used by hardware to provide frame alterations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing predefined actions based upon packet classification and lookup results in a communications network processor. A plurality of sets of rules is defined. Each rule set includes at least one rule and each rule has a set of masked compares for comparing results of hits and misses of table lookups. Each masked compare set has an associated field for selecting an action. The action defines a set of one or more commands and each command defines a processing operation. One rule set is identified based upon the packet classification result for a received packet. When one of the rules is identified having a match of the masked compares, then the action of associated with the identified rule is selected. Otherwise a default action is provided responsive to no rule of the identified rule set having a match of the masked compares.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing frame alteration commands in a communications network processor. A set of frame alteration instruction templates is defined. A frame alteration instruction template is identified based upon the packet type recognition result of a received packet. A frame alteration instruction stream is generated utilizing the frame alteration instruction template. Each of the frame alteration instruction templates includes different frame alteration commands to be performed on a packet. Pointers to indirect data bytes to be inserted in a packet are stored in the frame alteration instruction templates. The generated frame alteration instruction stream is used by hardware to provide frame alterations.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a pointer that includes a first keytype field and a second keytype field; and (2) assigning a value to the second keytype field of the pointer based on a tabletype field of an updated table. The updated table is an updated version of a first table written in a memory, and the first keytype field of the pointer has a value assigned based on a tabletype field of the first table. The first method further includes the step of employing the second keytype field of the pointer to point to the updated table. Numerous other aspects are provided.