Abstract: Apparatus including a network switch which includes switching circuitry to switch packets, packet drop decision circuitry to identify a packet that is to be dropped, packet duplication circuitry to duplicate the packet that is to be dropped, producing a first packet and a second packet, and packet exporting circuitry to export the first packet to a memory external to the switch via direct memory access (DMA). Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A network element includes at least one communication port and a processor. The communication port is configured to communicate with a peer communication port of a peer network element. The processor is configured to support a full-boot mode and a fast-boot mode, to establish, by negotiation with the peer network element, whether the fast-boot mode is supported both for the communication port and for the peer communication port, and, in response to finding that the fast-boot mode is supported both for the communication port and for the peer communication port, to coordinate with the peer network element a boot of the communication port and of the peer communication port, both using the fast-boot mode.

Abstract: A network element includes at least one communication port and a processor. The communication port is configured to communicate with a peer communication port of a peer network element. The processor is configured to support a full-boot mode and a fast-boot mode, to establish, by negotiation with the peer network element, whether the fast-boot mode is supported both for the communication port and for the peer communication port, and, in response to finding that the fast-boot mode is supported both for the communication port and for the peer communication port, to coordinate with the peer network element a boot of the communication port and of the peer communication port, both using the fast-boot mode.

Abstract: A method including determining, for a given hardware link, whether a signal error rate for signals sent over the given hardware link is beyond a given threshold, when the signal error rate is beyond the given threshold, generating an error indication for the given hardware link, the error indication including a prediction that a hardware component associated with the given hardware link is likely to fail. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method including determining, for a given hardware link, whether a signal error rate for signals sent over the given hardware link is beyond a given threshold, when the signal error rate is beyond the given threshold, generating an error indication for the given hardware link, the error indication including a prediction that a hardware component associated with the given hardware link is likely to fail. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus including a network switch which includes switching circuitry to switch packets, packet drop decision circuitry to identify a packet that is to be dropped, packet duplication circuitry to duplicate the packet that is to be dropped, producing a first packet and a second packet, and packet exporting circuitry to export the first packet to a memory external to the switch via direct memory access (DMA). Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method including providing a network switch, including switching circuitry, packet drop decision circuitry, packet duplication circuitry, and packet exporting circuitry, and performing the following in the network switch: switching packets in the switching circuitry, identifying a packet that is to be dropped in the packet drop decision circuitry, duplicating the packet that is to be dropped in the packet duplication circuitry, producing a first packet and a second packet, exporting the first packet to a tail-drop packet buffer in the packet exporting circuitry, and exporting the second packet to a cyclic packet buffer in the packet exporting circuitry. Related apparatus and methods are also provided. The abstract is not intended to be limiting.

Abstract: A method including providing a network switch, including switching circuitry, packet drop decision circuitry, packet duplication circuitry, and packet exporting circuitry, and performing the following in the network switch: switching packets in the switching circuitry, identifying a packet that is to be dropped in the packet drop decision circuitry, duplicating the packet that is to be dropped in the packet duplication circuitry, producing a first packet and a second packet, exporting the first packet to a tail-drop packet buffer in the packet exporting circuitry, and exporting the second packet to a cyclic packet buffer in the packet exporting circuitry. Related apparatus and methods are also provided. The abstract is not intended to be limiting.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes a memory interface, for coupling to a memory containing a first data packet composed in accordance with a first communication protocol, and a network interface, for coupling to a packet communication network. Packet processing circuitry in the adapter reads the first data packet from the memory via the memory interface, computes a checksum of the first data packet, inserts the checksum in the first data packet in accordance with the first communication protocol, and encapsulates the first data packet in a payload of a second data packet in accordance with a second communication protocol applicable to the packet communication network, so as to transmit the second data packet over the network via the network interface. The circuitry likewise computes checksums of incoming encapsulated data packets from the network.