Abstract: A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.

Abstract: A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.

Abstract: A network switch apparatus, components for such an apparatus, and methods of operating such an apparatus in which data flow handling and flexibility is enhanced by the cooperation among a plurality of interface processors and a suite of peripheral elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interface processors and peripherals together form a network processor capable of cooperating with other elements including an optional switching fabric device in executing instructions directing the flow of data in a network.

Abstract: A system and method of moving information units from an output flow control toward a data transmission network in a prioritized sequence which accommodates several different levels of service. The present invention includes a method and system for scheduling the egress of processed information units (or frames) from a network processing unit according to service based on a weighted fair queue where position in the queue is adjusted after each service based on a weight factor and the length of frame, a process which provides a method for and system of interaction between different calendar types is used to provide minimum bandwidth, best effort bandwidth, weighted fair queuing service, best effort peak bandwidth, and maximum burst size specifications. The present invention permits different combinations of service that can be used to create different QoS specifications.

Abstract: A classification system includes a software managed tree testing bits from a key which labels an item. The bits are chosen by application of the Choice Bit Algorithm to the Rules in a Database of Rules. A controller including logic parses an unknown Key for bits to be tested in the decision nodes of a binary tree. Tests dictated by the tree are conducted in a predetermined way until all but one Rule from the database or all but a few Rules from the database are eliminated from consideration, whereupon the Key is fully tested by the one remaining Rule or in a lattice constructed of the remaining plurality of Rules, to determine an action to enforce on the item. Certain compare tests are used in the binary tree for the case that otherwise identical or similar rules are applied to integer ranges of key values which do not fall upon power of 2 boundaries.

Abstract: Serial link adapter to be used in a communication controller comprising data handling means (DHM), said adapter allowing the communication controller to be attached to a multiplex serial link carrying data and non coded information bits in dedicated slots.In line adapter LA1 receiving means RCV1 are connected to serial link carrying data and non coded information slots. The receiving means comprises a routing arrangement for sending the data slot bits to the data handling means of the controller and the non coded information slot bits a high speed bus HSB1. Transmitting means Xmit1 are connected to high speed bus HSB2 and to the data handling means and comprises means for sending the data and non coded information slot bits in dedicated slots on the serial multiplex link MPX-T. Line adapter LA2 comprises means which are similar to the receiving and transmitting means in adapter LA1 and may be connected to the private branch exchange located in the same site as the communication controller.

Abstract: Information exchange method in a communications controller comprising a central control unit (CCU) associated with a storage that provides a number of parameter/status and data areas equal to the maximum number of interfaces to be managed by the controller. The storage contains a line vector table which indicates the address of each area assigned to each interface. The exchange of the parameter/status information and data on the input/output bus (IO5) uses a minimum number of input/output operations controlled by the program stored in the storage (3).