Adaptive router architecture using logical internal addressing

A method for providing a network service in a router comprising the steps of:

• receiving a packet stream on at least one network interface of the router in a forwarding element card;
• detecting that the packet stream requires further treatment from one of at least another card of the router;
• upon detection, consulting a local table associating the at least another card of the router with at least a portion of the network service provided by the router in order to find an identifier to which the at least another card is associated based on information found in the packet stream;
• and
• forwarding the packet stream toward the at least another card within the router.

A forwarding element card located in a router providing at least one network service, the forwarding element card being connected to at least one network interface of the router and comprising:

• at least one local table associating at least another card of the router with at least a portion of the at least one service provided by the router;
• a logical addressing module capable of:
• maintaining the at least one local table;
• and
• a forwarding component capable of:
• receiving a packet stream on the at least one network interface;
• detecting that the packet stream requires further treatment from one of the at least another card of the router;
• upon detection, consulting the local table to find an identifier to which the at least another card is associated based on information found in the packet stream;
• and
• forwarding the packet stream toward the at least another card within the router.