Patent ID: 6895013
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing coherent access to and update of configuration information stored in a memory associated with a forwarding engine of an intermediate node, the forwarding engine configured as a computing matrix of processors arrayed as columns and pipeline rows, each pipeline row of processors receiving a packet and each column of processors processing the packet in accordance with a designated feature, the method comprising the steps of: classifying a packet entering a pipeline row of the forwarding engine based upon an interface over which the packet is received at the node; assigning a unique handle to the packet based upon the interface; passing the assigned handle to each processor of the pipeline row for processing in accordance with the designated feature, the configuration information used in connection with the feature processed on the packet; and accessing the configuration information using the assigned handle, thereby obviating the need to re-classify the packet and reassign the handle when processing the packet at each processor.