Abstract: Multicasting network packets is disclosed. A total number of copies of a frame, t, to be sent is determined. A number of copies of the frame, m, which is less than a total number of copies of the frame, t, to be made during a current iteration is determined. M copies of the frame are made. The m copies of the frame are then sent to their destinations. The original input frame is provided as output with an indication that the frame should be returned for further processing. Processing of the frame is discontinued during an interval in which other frames are processed. The process is repeated until t copies have been sent.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating a plurality of output frames based on a single input frame. An input interface is configured to receive at least a portion of the input frame. An output controller is configured to receive, for each of the plurality of output frames, a new header, and combine each new header with at least a portion of the input frame. An output frame may be generated for which no corresponding input frame exists. An input interface is configured to receive an indication that the output frame should be generated. An output controller is configured to receive a generated header and combine the generated header with a dummy payload to form the output frame.

Abstract: Optimizing statistics counter use is disclosed. A total number of counter bits to be used to track two or more statistics is determined. The total number of counter bits is allocated among the two or more statistics to provide for each statistic a counter comprising the number of bits allocated for that statistic, the allocation being such that each counter overflows at a rate desired for that counter. The overflow rates may be balanced, such that each counter overflows at approximately the same rate.

Abstract: Multicasting network packets is disclosed. A total number of copies of a frame, t, to be sent is determined. A number of copies of the frame, m, which is less than a total number of copies of the frame, t, to be made during a current iteration is determined. M copies of the frame are made. The m copies of the frame are then sent to their destinations. The original input frame is provided as output with an indication that the frame should be returned for further processing. Processing of the frame is discontinued during an interval in which other frames are processed. The process is repeated until t copies have been sent.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for generating a plurality of output frames based on a single input frame. An input interface is configured to receive at least a portion of the input frame. An output controller is configured to receive, for each of the plurality of output frames, a new header, and combine each new header with at least a portion of the input frame. An output frame may be generated for which no corresponding input frame exists. An input interface is configured to receive an indication that the output frame should be generated. An output controller is configured to receive a generated header and combine the generated header with a dummy payload to form the output frame.

Abstract: Optimizing statistics counter use is disclosed. A total number of counter bits to be used to track two or more statistics is determined. The total number of counter bits is allocated among the two or more statistics to provide for each statistic a counter comprising the number of bits allocated for that statistic, the allocation being such that each counter overflows at a rate desired for that counter. The overflow rates may be balanced, such that each counter overflows at approximately the same rate.