Abstract: A packet processing system architecture and method are provided. According to one implementation, the system can include a first and second memory elements and a processor. The first memory element may be utilized for storing: A plurality of packet quality of service indicators; A first packet quality of service field; and A second packet quality of service field. The second memory element is utilized for storing a plurality of second packet quality of service indicators. The processor is operatively coupled to the memory elements for receiving quality of service commands, wherein the service commands include a plurality of third packet quality of service indicators. The processor uses an index to search the second memory element and the search returns a subset of the plurality of second packet quality of service indicators. The index may be the egress marking set or a queue number.

Abstract: An improved technique for incrementally updating a checksum in a network data packet is disclosed. A partial one's complement sum is first computed by subtracting the checksum value of certain packet header fields from the original data packet checksum. One or more of the packet header fields are then modified. An incrementally updated checksum is then computed by adding a checksum value of the modified packet header fields to the previously calculated partial one's complement sum. The updated checksum then replaces the original data packet checksum in the network data packet.