Lsi Corporation

Intel Corporation

Walter A Roper

Joseph A Manzella

Robert J Munoz

David Sonnier

Nilesh S Vora

John Leshchuk

Zhong Guo

Described embodiments process data packets received that include a source address and at least one destination address. If the destination address is stored in a memory of an I/O adapter, the received data packet is processed in accordance with bridging rules associated with each destination address stored in the I/O adapter memory. If the destination address is not stored in the I/O adapter memory, the I/O adapter sends a task message to a processor to determine whether the destination address is stored in an address table stored in a shared memory of the network processor. The I/O adapter memory has lower access latency than the address table. If the destination address is stored in the address table, the received data packet is processed in accordance with bridging rules stored in the address table and the bridging rules stored in the I/O adapter memory are updated.

Address learning and aging for network bridging in a network processor

Described embodiments provide a system having at least two network processors that each have a plurality of processing modules. The processing modules process a packet in a task pipeline by transmitting task messages to other processing modules on a task ring, the task messages related to desired processing of the packet. A series of tasks within a network processor may result in no processing or reduced processing for certain processing modules creating a virtual pipeline depending on the packet received by the network processor. At least two of the network processors communicate tasks. This communication allows ter the extension of the virtual pipeline of or IC network processor to at least two network processors.

Sharing of internal pipeline resources of a network processor with external devices

In described embodiments, a timestamp generator includes a fixed clock domain driven by a fixed frequency clock, a core clock domain, coupled to the fixed clock domain, which is driven by a core clock whose frequency is adjustable during an operation of the timestamp generator. A timestamp logic operating in the core clock domain generates a timestamping output of the timestamp generator. A rate generator operating in both the fixed clock domain and the core clock domain generates per clock cycle increments in the fixed clock domain and transfers carry units from the fixed clock domain into the core clock domain, and a timestamp increment generation of the timestamp logic is clocked by the fixed frequency clock provided by the rate generator. A method for enabling timestamp in an ASIC to be accurate with system clock changes is also described.

Timestamping logic with auto-adjust for varying system frequencies

Growing community of inventors

Lebanon, NJ, United States of America

Walter A Roper