Patent ID: 9043519
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for a network device, comprising: providing a plurality of function hierarchies associated with the network device, each hierarchy including a plurality of functions and each function being associated with an event that is processed by a processor from among a plurality of processors of the network device, wherein each function hierarchy is assigned a first arbitration module for arbitrating between interrupt request signals originating from the function hierarchy, and each of the processors has an assigned second arbitration module configured to arbitrate between the interrupt request signals for events that are associated with a specific one of the processors, wherein each function hierarchy includes at least a physical function and at least a virtual function associated with the physical function; generating the interrupt request signals for each function within a function hierarchy that had a change in status, wherein the interrupt request signals for each function hierarchy are sent to the assigned first arbitration module for arbitration; selecting a function from each of the plurality of function hierarchies, wherein each of the assigned first arbitration modules selects one of the interrupt request signals for each function hierarchy; sending all the interrupt request signals associated with events for the specific processor from among the plurality of processors to the second arbitration module assigned to the specific processor; selecting one of the interrupt request signals based on an arbitration performed by the assigned second arbitration module; processing an event associated with the selected interrupt request signal; and applying a masking logic for selecting functions for events that are associated with a specific processor.