Abstract: A network device may include first logic configured to count data units passing through the network device and to produce a counter value. The network device may include second logic configured to receive the counter value when an indicator is present, and to store the counter value. The network device may include third logic configured to sample the second logic, to receive the counter value, and to operate on the counter value to produce a result.

Abstract: A network device may include first logic configured to count data units passing through the network device and to produce a counter value. The network device may include second logic configured to receive the counter value when an indicator is present, and to store the counter value. The network device may include third logic configured to sample the second logic, to receive the counter value, and to operate on the counter value to produce a result.

Abstract: A network device may include first logic configured to count data units passing through the network device and to produce a counter value. The network device may include second logic configured to receive the counter value when an indicator is present, and to store the counter value. The network device may include third logic configured to sample the second logic, to receive the counter value, and to operate on the counter value to produce a result.

Abstract: A method and cache management for a bridge or bridge/router providing high-speed, flexible address cache management. The unit maintains a network address cache and an age table, searches the cache for layer 2 and layer 3 addresses from received frame headers, and returns address search results. The unit includes an interface permitting processor manipulation of the cache and age table, and supports a 4-way set associative cache to store the network addresses. A plurality of functions implemented in hardware enables software manipulation of the associated cache. Four cache operating modes are selectable. The unit can identify and select destination ports within a Load Balanced Port Group for frame forwarding. The unit utilizes Virtual LAN identification in conjunction with a MAC address for lookup in the cache. A cyclic redundancy code for each address to be looked up in the cache is used as an index into the cache. If a cache thrash rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, CRC table values can be rewritten.