Abstract: A method of filtering data packets in a network device is disclosed. An incoming packet is received from a port and the incoming packet is inspected and packet fields are extracted. The incoming packet is classified based on the extracted packet fields and action instructions are generated. The incoming packet is then modified based on the action instructions. Further, the inspection and extraction includes applying inspection mask windows to any portion of the incoming packet to extract programmable packet fields.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A method of switching packets in a network switch includes the step of receiving a packet on a source port of a network switch. Thereafter, the method includes the step of determining whether the network switch has sufficient memory capacity to process the data packet; and if memory capacity is sufficient, then the method reads a selected portion of the packet to determine if the packet is to be sent to a mirrored port. If mirroring is determined, then the method sends the data packet to the mirrored port. The method also includes the step of determining whether the packet is to be sent to a remote CPU for further handling, and sending the data packet to the remote CPU if appropriate. The method additionally includes the step of determining whether the packet is a unicast packet, and if so, placing the packet on an internal communication channel within the network switch for appropriate storing and forwarding.

Abstract: A method of mirroring data to a mirrored to port in a plurality of switches. The method has the steps of determining if data was sent to all of said plurality of switches; determining if said data was sent to a mirrored to port (MTP); and resending said data to all of said plurality of switches if mirroring is enabled and said data was not sent to said MTP.

Abstract: A method of handling data packets in a series of network switches includes receiving an incoming data packet at a data port of a first switch of the series of network switches. A module id bitmap of the incoming data packet is resolved and a bit corresponding to the first switch of the module id bitmap is examined to determine if the bit is set. A destination address of the incoming data packet is resolved when the corresponding bit is set and the incoming data packet is forwarded or dropped based on the destination address. When the corresponding bit is not set, the incoming data packet is forwarded to a next switch of the series of network switches. A network switch configured to allow for cascading of data packets is also disclosed.

Abstract: A network device for processing a packet can have at least one port within the network device configured to received or transmit a packet, and a storage unit configured to store a port bit map, wherein the port bit map corresponds to the at least one port. Furthermore, the network device for processing a packet can have a rules table configured to have at least one port match entry and at least one action corresponding to the at least one port match entry therein, and a control unit configured to compare the port bit map with the at least one port match entry, and to implement the at least one action when a first positive value results from comparing the port bit map with the port match entry.

Abstract: A method for selectively controlling the flow of data through a network device is discussed. The network device has a plurality of ports, with each port of the plurality of ports having a plurality of priority queues. Congestion at one priority queue of the plurality of priority queues is detected and a virtual channel message is sent to other network devices connected to the network device causing data destined for the one priority queue to be halted. After the congestion at the one priority queue has abated, a virtual channel resume message is sent to the other network devices.

Abstract: A data switch for network communications includes a first data port interface and a second data port interface is provided supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. A common memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and communicates data from the first data port interface and the second data port interface and a common memory. At least two sets of communication channels are provided, with each of the communication channels communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, and the memory management unit.

Abstract: A network switch for switching packets from a source to a destination includes a source port for receiving an incoming packet from a source, a destination port that contains a path to a destination for the packet, and a programmable counter unit for counting a number of packets of selected packet types which are received by the switch.

Abstract: A network component for processing a packet can include a buffer configured to receive a packet, a forwarding unit configured to forward the packet received at the first buffer to a loopback port, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the packet out of the loopback port. In addition, the network component can include a loopback unit configured to loop back the packet into the loopback port, a first identification unit configured to identify an egress port, and a second transmitting unit configured to transmit the packet looped back from the loopback port out of the egress port.

Abstract: A method of handling packets includes inserting a stack-specific tag into a packet, then processing the packet in a stack of network switches in accordance with tag information in the stack-specific tag. The stack-specific tag is then removed from the packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for switching VOIP packets in a data network, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a first packet in a network switch and determining if the first packet is a VOIP packet. Further, method includes determining a dynamically negotiated VOIP port for a VOIP session from at least one of the first packet and a second packet received in the network switch, if the first packet is determined to be the VOIP packet. Finally, the method includes the steps of classifying all subsequent VOIP packets corresponding to the dynamically negotiated VOIP port in accordance with predetermined parameters. The apparatus includes a network switch having at least one data port interface controller supporting a plurality of data ports for transmitting and receiving data, and a fast filtering processor in communication with the at least one data port interface.

Abstract: A network component for processing a packet can include a buffer configured to receive a packet in an ingress port at a network component, a first identification unit configured to identify a destination address and a network identifier from the packet received at the buffer, and a look-up table configured to be indexed by the destination address and the network identifier identified by the identification unit to obtain an outgoing port bit map. In addition, the network component can include a forwarding unit configured to forward the packet to a destination module and out of an egress port within the network component based on the outgoing port bit map.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A network component for processing a packet can include a buffer configured to receive a packet in an ingress port at a network component, a first identification unit configured to identify a destination address and a network identifier from the packet received at the buffer, and a look-up table configured to be indexed by the destination address and the network identifier identified by the identification unit to obtain an outgoing port bit map. In addition, the network component can include a forwarding unit configured to forward the packet to a destination module and out of an egress port within the network component based on the outgoing port bit map.

Abstract: A network device for processing a packet can include an ingress port configured to receive the packet. In addition, the network device can include a membership port bit map table configured to store at least one membership port bit map, an outgoing port bit map table configured to store at least one outgoing port bit map. A first storage unit within the network device can be configured to store an egress port bit map. The egress port bit map is based on the membership port bit map and the outgoing port bit map. Furthermore, the network device can have at least one egress port configured to transmit out the packet. The at least one egress port can correspond to the egress port bit map.

Abstract: A switch assembly having multiple blades in a chassis and a method of using that assembly to switch data is disclosed. A network switch assembly for network communications includes at least one fabric blade and a plurality of port blades. The at least one fabric blade has at least one switch having a plurality of data port interfaces, supporting a plurality of fabric data ports transmitting and receiving data, and a CPU interface, where CPU interface is configured to communicate with a CPU. The at least one fabric blade also has a CPU subsystem communicating with the CPU interface. Each of said plurality of port blades has at least one switch having a plurality of data port interfaces, supporting a plurality of port data ports transmitting and receiving data.

Abstract: A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer's needs.

Abstract: A switch assembly having multiple blades in a chassis and a method of using that assembly to switch data is disclosed. A network switch assembly for network communications includes at least one fabric blade and a plurality of port blades. The at least one fabric blade has at least one switch having a plurality of data port interfaces, supporting a plurality of fabric data ports transmitting and receiving data, and a CPU interface, where CPU interface is configured to communicate with a CPU. The at least one fabric blade also has a CPU subsystem communicating with the CPU interface. Each of said plurality of port blades has at least one switch having a plurality of data port interfaces, supporting a plurality of port data ports transmitting and receiving data.

Abstract: Enhanced memory management schemes are presented to extend the flexibility of using either internal or external packet memory within the same network device. In the proposed schemes, the user can choose either static or dynamic schemes, both or which are capable of using both internal and external memory, depending on the deployment scenario and applications. This gives the user flexible choices when building unified wired and wireless networks that are either low-cost or feature-rich, or a combination of both. A method for buffering packets in a network device, and a network device including processing logic capable of performing the method are presented.