Abstract: A method and system for distributing data packets within a network node is disclosed. The method and system for distributing data packets within a network node involves the utilization of a moving weighted average function to dynamically distribute the data packets in a balanced fashion. By utilizing a moving weighted average function to dynamically distribute the data packets in a balanced fashion, data packets are distributed more efficiently thereby increasing the overall efficiency of network operations. The method and system include computing a ratio matrix based on a moving weight average function of a load over a plurality of data ports and distributing data packets to the plurality of data ports based on the ratio matrix.

Abstract: A technique for managing the utilization of processing resources involves filtering packets that are sent to a CPU for learning before allowing the packets to reach the CPU. The filtering involves determining if related packets have already been allowed to reach the CPU for learning and using the knowledge about related packets to determine if a current packet should be allowed to reach the CPU. In one embodiment, the processing resources of the CPU are conserved by allowing only one packet per flow to reach the CPU for learning. The one packet is used by the CPU to generate the necessary forwarding information and to initiate programming of the hardware-based forwarding table so that subsequent packets of the same flow can be forwarded directly from the hardware-based forwarding engine.

Abstract: A software upgrade in a network node that includes primary and secondary control modules is provided by downloading a computer software upgrade onto the secondary control module, selecting the computer software upgrade to use on reboot of the secondary control module, rebooting the secondary control module using the computer software upgrade, and switching control of the network node from the primary control module to the secondary control module after the rebooting.

Abstract: A technique for managing process state information involves pushing process state information from the kernel space to the user space in the event of an application crash and generating a core file at the user level instead of at the kernel level. Handling the process state information at the user level instead of at the kernel level provides more flexibility in the generation and management of a core file as compared to systems that use kernel code to generate and manage the core file. A core dump application at the user level can be programmed to forward the core file to another system that has permanent storage capacity available. Additionally, the core dump application can be programmed to compress the process state information and/or to extract only certain information from the process state information while generating the core file.

Abstract: A programmable non-volatile memory device includes block switching logic that enables device-level translation rules to be changed. The device-level translation rules map the external addresses received by the flash memory device to the internal addresses of the programmable non-volatile memory device. Because the device-level translation rules are changeable, the physical location in the programmable non-volatile memory device to which an external address maps can be changed in a manner that is transparent to off-device operations. By allowing device-level translation rules to be changed, block management functions can be accomplished within the programmable non-volatile memory device itself.

Abstract: A programmable non-volatile memory device includes block switching logic that enables device-level translation rules to be changed. The device-level translation rules map the external addresses received by the flash memory device to the internal addresses of the programmable non-volatile memory device. Because the device-level translation rules are changeable, the physical location in the programmable non-volatile memory device to which an external address maps can be changed in a manner that is transparent to off-device operations. By allowing device-level translation rules to be changed, block management functions can be accomplished within the programmable non-volatile memory device itself.

Abstract: A technique for managing process state information involves pushing process state information from the kernel space to the user space in the event of an application crash and generating a core file at the user level instead of at the kernel level. Handling the process state information at the user level instead of at the kernel level provides more flexibility in the generation and management of a core file as compared to systems that use kernel code to generate and manage the core file. A core dump application at the user level can be programmed to forward the core file to another system that has permanent storage capacity available. Additionally, the core dump application can be programmed to compress the process state information and/or to extract only certain information from the process state information while generating the core file.

Abstract: Multiple techniques for providing failure protection in a network node that includes primary and secondary control modules (CMs) are disclosed. One technique involves synchronizing configuration state information between the CMs by executing a configuration command within the primary CM and then executing the same configuration command within the secondary CM only if executing the configuration command within the primary CM does not cause the primary CM to fail. Another technique involves gleaning table entries from hardware-based forwarding tables and using the gleaned table entries to generate a software-based forwarding table in the secondary CM.

Abstract: A technique for managing the utilization of processing resources involves filtering packets that are sent to a CPU for learning before allowing the packets to reach the CPU. The filtering involves determining if related packets have already been allowed to reach the CPU for learning and using the knowledge about related packets to determine if a current packet should be allowed to reach the CPU. In one embodiment, the processing resources of the CPU are conserved by allowing only one packet per flow to reach the CPU for learning. The one packet is used by the CPU to generate the necessary forwarding information and to initiate programming of the hardware-based forwarding table so that subsequent packets of the same flow can be forwarded directly from the hardware-based forwarding engine.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing data packets within a network node is disclosed. The method and system for distributing data packets within a network node involves the utilization of a moving weighted average function to dynamically distribute the data packets in a balanced fashion. By utilizing a moving weighted average function to dynamically distribute the data packets in a balanced fashion, data packets are distributed more efficiently thereby increasing the overall efficiency of network operations. The method and system include computing a ratio matrix based on a moving weight average function of a load over a plurality of data ports and distributing data packets to the plurality of data ports based on the ratio matrix.