Patent ID: 7424014

Claim:
A router comprising: a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor; and a line card operably coupled to the plurality of route processors; wherein one or more route processors include an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein each IFIB includes information used to route packets addressed to router elements within the router; wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router, wherein the list of flows includes a first flow associated with packets directed to a first router element; wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a port arbitrator, wherein the port arbitrator assembles and distributes the IFIB; and wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a flow manager coupled to the port arbitrator and the line card, wherein the flow manager receives portions of the IFIB from the port arbitrator and assigns sessions to router elements within the router as a function of a router policy.