Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for a server node is disclosed. This server node consists of one or more processors. The processors are configured to perform server functions as well as switch and router functions including load balancing and fail-over. The server nodes also have a plurality of ports. These ports allow the server nodes to be connected combined to form blocks and networks as well as to provide connection to external networks. When a server node receives a request, it determines whether it can handle the request. If possible, the server node handles the request. If the server node cannot handle the request, it routes the request to a second, neighboring server node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting a first device and a second device in a network. The first device and the second device are connected to a plurality of interfaces. The plurality of interfaces emulate a single high-speed interface. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first identifier is assigned to the first interface and the second interface at the first device. According to another embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of interfaces is selected to transmit a packet of data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing hardware-assisted CPU access to a forwarding database is described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a switch fabric provides access to a forwarding database on behalf of a processor. The switch fabric includes a memory access interface configured to arbitrate access to a forwarding database memory. The switch fabric also includes a search engine coupled to the memory access interface and to multiple input ports. The search engine is configured to schedule and perform accesses to the forwarding database memory and to transfer forwarding decisions retrieved therefrom to the input ports. The switch fabric further includes command execution logic that is configured to interface with the processor for performing forwarding database accesses requested by the processor.