Abstract: A lookup mechanism provides an input value to a datapath element disposed in an execution datapath of a processor and causes the datapath element to compare the input value to stored identifier values. The lookup mechanism receives from the datapath element a result based on the comparison.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a branch aware first-in first-out memory is disclosed. The branch aware first-in first-out memory includes a memory array to store data; a push pointer coupled to the memory array to address memory locations therein in order to write data; a pop pointer coupled to the memory array to address memory locations therein in order to read data; and a pointer memory coupled to the pop pointer; and control logic coupled to the pointer memory. The pointer memory saves one or more prior pop pointer values of the pop pointer. The control logic may restore one of the one or more prior pop pointer values from the pointer memory into the pop pointer in response to receiving branch information.

Abstract: A mechanism to process units of data associated with a dependent data stream using different threads of execution and a common data structure in memory. Accessing the common data structure in memory for the processing uses a single read operation and a single write operation. The folding of multiple read-modify-write memory operations in such a manner for multiple multi-threaded stages of processing includes controlling a first stage, which operates on the same data unit as a second stage to pass context state information to the second stage for coherency.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for associating units of data with threads of a multi-threaded processor for processing, and enabling each thread to perform processing for at least two of the data units during a thread execution period. The thread execution period is divided among phases, and each of the data units processed by a thread is processed by a different one of the phases.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a system to process packets received over a network. The system includes a receive process of at least one thread of a network processor to receive data of packets belonging to different flows. The system also includes a transmit process of at least one thread to transmit packets received by the receive process. A scheduler process of at least one thread populates at least one schedule of flow service based, at least in part, on quality of service characteristics associated with the different flows. The schedule identifies different flow candidates for service. The system also includes a shaper process of at least one thread to select from the candidate flows for service from the at least one schedule.