Patent ID: 7415028
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for optimizing routing functions in a router having a split plane architecture, the split plane architecture having distinct control and data planes coupled to exchange routing information, the control plane being implemented in software and the data plane being implemented in hardware, the control plane further including an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache and the data plane further including a programmable forwarding information base, comprising: obtaining information about a route by which the router forwards packets to a destination address; evaluating the obtained information about the route to determine if address resolution is needed for the route; if it is determined that address resolution is needed for the route, performing the needed address resolution to derive additional information about the route; and programming the forwarding information base to incorporate the obtained and additional information about the route such that packets can be forwarded to the destination address using the route; wherein the determination as to whether address resolution is needed for the route is responsive to obtaining information about the route and is performed regardless of whether packets are received for delivery on the route.