Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: A buffer having an associated state array to store the current state of the buffer. The state array includes a bit array having a number of entries, each of the entries including a status bit to indicate storage of a corresponding packet in the buffer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to data structure traversal instructions that perform efficient data structure traversal operations in packet processing applications. In one embodiment, a data structure traversal instruction for use in packet processing includes a control. In response to the control, the data structure traversal instruction accesses at least one node of a data structure. The data structure is typically a linked list or a binary tree. In an exemplary environment, the data structure traversal instruction may be implemented by a packet processor core of packet processor in a network device. In particular, three data structure traversal instructions are disclosed for accessing a node in a linked list and returning a data field, searching for a key value in a node of linked list, and accessing a node in a binary tree and searching for a matching key value, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a first register to hold an initial value of a first index associated with a looping instruction to be executed for a number of iterations, a second register to hold an initial value of a second index associated with the respective looping instruction, and a third register to hold data indicating non-linear variation pattern associated with the second index. For each iteration, actual increment of the first index and actual increment of the second index are set based on a target increment and the data indicating the non-linear variation pattern associated with the second index.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to data structure traversal instructions that perform efficient data structure traversal operations in packet processing applications. In one embodiment, a data structure traversal instruction for use in packet processing includes a control. In response to the control, the data structure traversal instruction accesses at least one node of a data structure. The data structure is typically a linked list or a binary tree. In an exemplary environment, the data structure traversal instruction may be implemented by a packet processor core of packet processor in a network device. In particular, three data structure traversal instructions are disclosed for accessing a node in a linked list and returning a data field, searching for a key value in a node of linked list, and accessing a node in a binary tree and searching for a matching key value, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a first register to hold an initial value of a first index associated with a looping instruction to be executed for a number of iterations, a second register to hold an initial value of a second index associated with the respective looping instruction, and a third register to hold data indicating non-linear variation pattern associated with the second index. For each iteration, actual increment of the first index and actual increment of the second index are set based on a target increment and the data indicating the non-linear variation pattern associated with the second index.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a set of comparators to compare each address of flow-change instructions identified in a program against address of the current instruction as the program being executed. Each comparator generates a respective signal having a first value if the address of the respective flow-change instruction matches the address of the current instruction. Target addresses associated with the flow change instructions and a default address of the next instruction are provided as inputs to a multiplexer which selects either the default address or one of the target addresses as the next instruction address, based on the signals generated by the comparators.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to soft-pipelined state-oriented packet processing of packets received from a network. In one embodiment, a packet processor includes a packet processor core coupled to a program memory and an external memory to perform packet processing operations including defining a plurality of phases and a plurality of contexts, wherein each context includes a plurality of packets. The plurality of phases process each context. Further, a direct memory access (DMA) to the external memory is performed to obtain state data for the context being processed by the phase for use during processing by a next phase. After the last phase has processed the context, the state data is transferred back into the external memory using a final DMA transfer.

Abstract: A buffer having an associated state array to store the current state of the buffer. The state array includes a bit array having a number of entries, each of the entries including a status bit to indicate storage of a corresponding packet in the buffer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to bit manipulation instructions that perform efficient bit manipulation operations for packet processing applications. In one embodiment, a bit manipulation instruction for use in packet processing includes a control. In response to the control, the bit manipulation instruction selects a plurality of bits from a source register and writes the selected plurality of bits into a destination register in a manner designated by the control. In an exemplary environment, the bit manipulation instruction may be implemented by a packet processor core of packet processor in a network device. In particular, five bit manipulation instructions for bit extraction, bit packing, bit setting, bit unpacking, and bit matching operations will be disclosed. These instructions are particularly useful for packet processing applications.