Patent ID: 8218440
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network device for implementing a high speed transmission protocol, the network device comprising: a plurality of modules which are connected by a plurality of high speed links implementing the high speed transmission protocol, wherein the high speed transmission protocol retains a core functionality independent of combinations of the plurality of modules, wherein the high speed transmission protocol comprises a plurality of aspects including an in-band messaging mechanism configured to implement inter-packet messaging and intra-packet messaging, inter-packet messaging comprising transmitting inter-packet control messages between respective first packets and respective second packets and intra-packet messaging comprising transmitting intra-packet control messages within respective single packets, the inter-packet control messages pre-empting transmission of their respective second packets and the intra-packet control messages pre-empting transmission of at least a portion of their respective single packets, and wherein the network device is configured to provide two virtual forwarding planes concurrently, one of the forwarding planes being used for packet transport and the other of the forwarding planes being used for the in-band messaging, wherein each forwarding plane is configured to provide in-order delivery for traffic with a same source, destination and traffic class.