Abstract: A method for parallel processing of ingress packets destined to a plurality of inline tools is provided. An ingress packet is processed to extract a plurality of packet header fields and to generate a packet identifier. A hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. A copy of the ingress packet and the packet identifier are stored in a hash table entry using the generated hash index. The ingress packet is simultaneously forwarded to each of the plurality of inline tool devices.

Abstract: A method for maintaining packet's source network identification information while aggregating packets from a plurality of networks is provided. An ingress packet is processed to extract a plurality of packet header fields and port identifier. A first hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. The extracted port identifier is stored in a hash table using the generated first hash index. The ingress packet is forwarded to one or more inline tool devices. An egress packet received from the one or more inline tools is processed to extract the plurality of packet header fields. A second hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. The port identifier is retrieved from the hash table based on the generated second hash index. The egress packet is transmitted to a switching device based on the retrieved port identifier.

Abstract: A method for parallel processing of ingress packets destined to a plurality of inline tools is provided. An ingress packet is processed to extract a plurality of packet header fields and to generate a packet identifier. A hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. A copy of the ingress packet and the packet identifier are stored in a hash table entry using the generated hash index. The ingress packet is simultaneously forwarded to each of the plurality of inline tool devices.

Abstract: A method for determining a routing for packets aggregated from multiple Layer 2 (L2) networks is provided. An ingress packet is received from an ingress inline network port and is processed to extract a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a port identifier associated with the source MAC address. The extracted source MAC address of the ingress packet is looked up in a MAC address table. The ingress packet is forwarded to an inline tool device. When an egress packet is received back from the inline tool device it is processed to extract source and destination MAC addresses. The extracted source and destination MAC addresses of the egress packet are looked up in the MAC address table. The egress packet is transmitted to an egress inline port based on the looked up destination MAC address.

Abstract: A method for determining a routing for packets aggregated from multiple Layer 2 (L2) networks is provided. An ingress packet is received from an ingress inline network port and is processed to extract a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a port identifier associated with the source MAC address. The extracted source MAC address of the ingress packet is looked up in a MAC address table. The ingress packet is forwarded to an inline tool device. When an egress packet is received back from the inline tool device it is processed to extract source and destination MAC addresses. The extracted source and destination MAC addresses of the egress packet are looked up in the MAC address table. The egress packet is transmitted to an egress inline port based on the looked up destination MAC address.

Abstract: A method for maintaining packet's source network identification information while aggregating packets from a plurality of networks is provided. An ingress packet is processed to extract a plurality of packet header fields and port identifier. A first hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. The extracted port identifier is stored in a hash table using the generated first hash index. The ingress packet is forwarded to one or more inline tool devices. An egress packet received from the one or more inline tools is processed to extract the plurality of packet header fields. A second hash index is generated by hashing information associated with the plurality of packet header fields. The port identifier is retrieved from the hash table based on the generated second hash index. The egress packet is transmitted to a switching device based on the retrieved port identifier.

Abstract: A method of forwarding data packets in a network device having an operating system. The method includes forwarding a data packet at the device driver layer in the network device without the operating system performing context switching in conjunction with forwarding the data packet. In another embodiment, a method of forwarding data packets in a network device having an operating system includes initiating a switching microdriver to retrieve a data packet, and forwarding the data packet to or from the switching microdriver without involvement of the operating system.