Network data processor having per-input port virtual output queues

A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processing units of a network element, cause the one or more processing units to perform operations to forward a first set of network data, the operations comprising:

• receiving the first set of network data at a first ingress port of the network element, wherein units of the first set of network data belong to a plurality of traffic classes;
• determining an egress port for the first set of network data via a network layer data header;
• and
• buffering the units of the first set of network data in a plurality of traffic class virtual output queue (VOQ) associated with each of the first ingress port and the egress port, wherein the traffic class VOQ is determined at least in part based on the egress port and the first ingress port and each of the plurality of traffic class VOQs is associated with a different one of the plurality of traffic classes, and wherein the data pipeline is further to:
• buffer a unit of the first set of network data in a traffic class VOQ associated with the first port and the second port when a designated port data rate of the first port is equal to or greater than a port data rate threshold associated with the first port.

A system within a network element to forward network data, the system comprising:

• a first network data processor coupled to a first network interface, the first network data processor to forward network data received from the first network interface, the first network data processor further to:
• receive a set of network data from a first port at the first network interface, wherein units of the set of network data belong to a plurality of traffic classes;
• determine a second port to forward the units of the set of network data based on a network layer address of the units of the set of network data;
• buffer the units of the set of network data in a plurality of traffic class virtual output queues (VOQs) associated with each of the first ingress port and the egress port, wherein a traffic class VOQ for a unit of the set of network data is determined at least in part based on the first and second ports and each of the plurality of traffic class VOQs is associated with a different one of the plurality of traffic classes, and wherein the data pipeline is further to:
• buffer a unit of the first set of network data in a traffic class VOQ associated with the first port and the second port when a designated port data rate of the first port is equal to or greater than a port data rate threshold associated with the first port.