Mirroring in a network device

A method for implementing mirroring on packets, the method comprising:

• associating a plurality of ports as at least one of an ingress port, an egress port and a mirror-to port;
• storing at least one register for supporting a plurality of mirroring types at each of the ingress port, egress port and mirror-to port;
• setting predefined bits in the at least one register to support mirroring at each of the ingress port, egress port and mirror-to port;
• receiving an incoming packet;
• and
• examining the predefined bits to determine which of the plurality of mirroring types to apply to the packet.

A apparatus for implementing mirroring on packets, the apparatus comprising:

• associating means for associating a plurality of ports as at least one of an ingress port, an egress port and a mirror-to port;
• storing means for storing at least one register for supporting a plurality of mirroring types at each of the ingress port, egress port and mirror-to port;
• setting means for setting predefined bits in the at least one register to support mirroring at each of the ingress port, egress port and mirror-to port;
• receiving means for receiving an incoming packet;
• and
• examining means for examining the predefined bits to determine which of the plurality of mirroring types to apply to the packet.