Patent ID: 7903555
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of packet tracing as a packet is passed along a plurality of processing stages within a packet processor, the method comprising: receiving, at a first tracer device of a plurality of tracer devices each coupled to a corresponding one of the processing stages, a signal to monitor functions performed on the packet by a first associated processing stage within the packet processor; in response to the receiving, monitoring, by the first tracer device, the functions performed on the packet by the first processing stage, the functions including one or more of parsing the packet, performing address look-up, auto-learning, forwarding port determination, accessing control lists, editing, or determining IP routing, storing, at the first tracer device, an indication denoting the functions performed on the packet by the first processing stage; passing the signal from the first tracer device to a next tracer device when the packet processing passes from the first processing stage to a next processing stage; and sending the indication to an application configured to monitor the packet.