Packet redirection method for a network processor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a packet redirection method for a function programmable network processor for processing packets based upon a user's requirements or intention. Th packet redirection method includes the steps of: defining a redirection port and a redirection ratio for a destination outgoing port which needs packet redirection among a plurality of outgoing ports upon the user's request, and storing the redirection port and the redirection ratio in a redirection memory area corresponding to the destination outgoing port of the network processor; detecting the destination outgoing port of the packet by performing a forwarding table lookup using a forwarding table, and queuing the packet to a queue of the destination outgoing port when the network processor receives the packet; determining a redirection setup state by accessing the redirection memory area corresponding to the destination outgoing port; and when a redirection is set, transmitting the packets to the destination outgoing port and the redirection port on the basis of the redirection port and the redirection ratio stored in the redirection memory area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.