Abstract: A method for managing recirculation path traffic in a network node comprises monitoring an input packet stream received at an input port of the network node and monitoring a recirculation packet stream at a recirculation path of the network node. A priority level associated with individual packets of the monitored input packet stream is detected and low priority packets are stored in a virtual queue. The method also includes determining an average packet length associated with packets of the monitored recirculation packet stream. The method further comprises queuing one or more of the low priority packets or the recirculation packets for transmission based on the average packet length and a weighted share schedule.

Abstract: Flow identification value masks are identified based on, and used to mask a flow identification value associated with packets in a router, packet switching or computer system, any other device. These masks may be specified in access control lists or using any other mechanism, and typically are added to an associative memory or other mechanism keyed on their corresponding flow identification values for performing fast lookup operations. A lookup operation is performed based on the flow identification value associated with a particular packet to identify the correspond mask, which is then used to produce a masked flow identification value, and based on which, a value is updated in a data structure and/or other processing of the packet is performed.

Abstract: A value is hashed and then a lookup operation is performed in a content addressable memory based on the hashed value to generate a content addressable memory result, which is used in performing an operation. In one implementation, the content addressable memory result includes an address, and the operation performed includes retrieving a record from memory, comparing a key value stored in the record to the first value to identify the correct record, and then updating a statistics value in the record. In one embodiment, an original value is masked to generate the value which is hashed. In one implementation, the value corresponds to a masked or original flow identification value associated with a flow of packets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for defining and using associative memory entries with force no-hit and priority indications of particular use in implementing policy maps in communication devices. In one use, a set of entries is determined based on a policy map with a force no-hit indication being associated with one or more of the entries. Additionally, programmable priority indications may be associated with one or more of the entries, or with the associative memory devices, associative memory banks, etc. The force no-hit indications are often used in response to identified deny instructions in an access control list or other policy map. A lookup operation is then performed on these associative memory entries, with highest matching result or results identified based on the programmed and/or implicit priority level associated with the entries, or with the associative memory devices, associative memory banks, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for defining and using associative memory entries with force no-hit and priority indications of particular use in implementing policy maps in communication devices. In one use, a set of entries is determined based on a policy map with a force no-hit indication being associated with one or more of the entries. Additionally, programmable priority indications may be associated with one or more of the entries, or with the associative memory devices, associative memory banks, etc. The force no-hit indications are often used in response to identified deny instructions in an access control list or other policy map. A lookup operation is then performed on these associative memory entries, with highest matching result or results identified based on the programmed and/or implicit priority level associated with the entries, or with the associative memory devices, associative memory banks, etc.