Broadcom Corporation

Joseph Herbst

Allan Flippin

A network switch having at least one port data port interface, a first memory, a second memory, and a memory management unit in connection with the at least one data port interface, the first memory, and the second memory. The memory management unit operates to receive data from the at least one data port interface, determine if the data is to be stored in one of the first memory or the second memory, store the data in one of the first memory or the second memory as a linked list, retrieve the data from one of the first memory or the second memory, and forwards the data for egress.

Memory management unit for a network switch

The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for managing memory in a network switch, wherein the memory includes the steps of providing a memory, wherein the memory includes a plurality of memory locations configured to store data therein and providing a memory address pool having a plurality of available memory addresses arranged therein, wherein each of the plurality of memory addresses corresponds to a specific memory location. The method further includes the steps of providing a memory address pointer, wherein the memory address pointer indicates a next available memory address in the memory address pool, and reading available memory addresses from the memory address pool using a last in first out operation. The method also includes writing released memory addresses into the memory address pool, adjusting a position of the memory address pointer upon a read or a write operation from the memory address pool.

Apparatus and method for managing memory in a network switch

A method and apparatus for managing defects in a memory, wherein the method includes the steps of testing a plurality of memory locations to determine an inoperable memory location and moving a memory address corresponding to the inoperable memory location to a first position in a list of available memory addresses. The method further includes the steps of incrementing an address pointer to a second position in the list of available addresses indicating a next available memory address in the list of available addresses, wherein said step of incrementing an address pointer to a second position operates to remove the memory address stored in the first position from the list of available memory addresses. The apparatus includes a memory having a predetermined number of memory locations for storing data and an address pool having a predetermined number of available memory addresses therein, each of said predetermined number of available addresses corresponding to one of the predetermined number of memory locations. An address pool controller is provided, wherein the address pool controller manages defects in the memory by removing an address from the predetermined number of available addresses when the address is identified as corresponding to an inoperable memory location.

Apparatus and method for managing memory defects

A method and apparatus for controlling data flow in a network switch, wherein the method includes the steps of determining if a quantity of queued data for a port has exceeded a first predetermined threshold, disabling a data flow to the port if the quantity of queued data is determined to have exceeded the first predetermined threshold, and re-enabling the data flow to the port upon satisfying a predetermined spatial requirement and a predetermined temporal requirement. The apparatus includes at least one queue in connection with the at least one data port interface for receiving data transmitted to the at least one data port interface, and a memory management unit in connection with the at least one queue. The memory management unit operates to disable a data flow to a queue when a level of data in the queue reaches a predetermined threshold, and thereafter re-enables data flow to the queue when the level of data in the queue reaches a second predetermined threshold and a predetermined amount of time has passed.

Apparatus and method for controlling data flow in a network switch

A method and apparatus for optimizing access to memory, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a first request for access to a memory, receiving at least two additional requests for access to the memory, and determining a first clock overhead associated with the first request for access to the memory. The method further includes the steps of determining an additional clock overhead associated with each of the at least two additional requests for access to the memory in conjunction with the first request, determining a combination of requests that can be processed together using an optimized overhead, and processing the combination of requests as a single request with the optimal overhead.

Apparatus and method for optimizing access to memory

A method and apparatus for storing data, the method including the steps of generating a glitchless fractional clock pulse in a circuit and transmitting the glitchless fractional clock pulse from the circuit to a data storage element. The data storage element thereafter stores data in the storage element upon receiving the glitchless fractional clock pulse. The apparatus for storing data includes at least one storage element having a data input, a storage enable input, and a data output, and at least one logic circuit having an activating input, an clock input, and a logic output. The at least one logic circuit generates a glitchless fractional clock pulse on the logic output, wherein the logic output is connected to the storage enable input of the storage element and operating to enable the at least one storage element to store data resident on the data input at an optimally stable time.

Growing community of inventors

Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Joseph Herbst