Patent ID: 10187308

Abstract:
A virtual switch configured to switch packets between virtual switch ports based on classifier sub-tables. The virtual switch reserves blocks of last level cache for classifier sub-table storage. The virtual switch also maintains a global sub-table priority map for the classifier sub-tables. The global sub-table priority map indicates usage frequency of each classifier sub-table when switching the packets between the ports. A sub-set of the classifier sub-tables with a highest usage frequency, according to the global sub-table priority map, are pre-fetched to the reserved blocks of the last level cache. By pre-fetching the most used classifier sub-tables, memory related bottlenecks are reduced when searching through classifier sub-tables. This mechanism increases processing speed when matching packets/flows to classifier sub-tables, resulting in faster packet switching by the virtual switch. The virtual switch may leverage Cache Allocation Technology (CAT)/Code and Data Prioritization technology (CDP) to prevent cache eviction.