Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory may be configured to store at least a portion of a multi-level tree representation of an ordered multi-field rule-based classification list. The tree representation includes at least one non-leaf level and one or more leaf levels. Each entry in the at least one non-leaf level contains a count value indicating a number of rules having a matching field. Entries in at least one of the one or more leaf levels include rule pointers arranged in priority order. The processor may be configured to incrementally insert or delete rules, while preserving ordering semantics of the tree representation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory may be configured to store at least a portion of a multi-level tree representation of an ordered multi-field rule-based classification list. The tree representation includes at least one non-leaf level and one or more leaf levels. Each entry in the at least one non-leaf level contains a count value indicating a number of rules having a matching field. Entries in at least one of the one or more leaf levels include rule pointers arranged in priority order. The processor may be configured to incrementally insert or delete rules, while preserving ordering semantics of the tree representation.

Abstract: Improved techniques are disclosed for performing an in-service upgrade of software associated with a network or packet processor. By way of example, a method of managing data structures associated with code executable on a packet processor includes the following steps. Data structures in the code are identified as being one of static data structures and non-static data structures, wherein a static data structure includes a data structure that is not changed during execution of the packet processor code and a non-static data structure includes a data structure that is changed during execution of the packet processor code. One or more data structures associated with the packet processor code are managed in a manner specific to the identification of the one or more data structures as static data structures or non-static data structures. At least a portion of the data structures may include tree structures.

Abstract: A software-based development tool is operative to automatically determine an appropriate simulation configuration for a multistage switch fabric or other multiple circuit element electronic system. The development tool includes an interface permitting user control of one or more configurable parameters of the electronic system, and automatically generates a simulation configuration for the electronic system based on current values of the configurable parameters. The simulation configuration is advantageously generated without requiring further user input, and specifies interconnections between the circuit elements which satisfy the current values of the configurable parameters.

Abstract: Improved techniques are disclosed for performing an in-service upgrade of software associated with a network or packet processor. By way of example, a method of managing data structures associated with code executable on a packet processor includes the following steps. Data structures in the code are identified as being one of static data structures and non-static data structures, wherein a static data structure includes a data structure that is not changed during execution of the packet processor code and a non-static data structure includes a data structure that is changed during execution of the packet processor code. One or more data structures associated with the packet processor code are managed in a manner specific to the identification of the one or more data structures as static data structures or non-static data structures. At least a portion of the data structures may include tree structures.

Abstract: A software-based development tool is operative to automatically determine an appropriate simulation configuration for a multistage switch fabric or other multiple circuit element electronic system. The development tool includes an interface permitting user control of one or more configurable parameters of the electronic system, and automatically generates a simulation configuration for the electronic system based on current values of the configurable parameters. The simulation configuration is advantageously generated without requiring further user input, and specifies interconnections between the circuit elements which satisfy the current values of the configurable parameters.