Queueing system for processors in packet routing operations

In a data-packet processor a configurable queuing system for packet accounting during processing, the system comprising:

• a plurality of queues arranged in one or more clusters;
• an identification mechanism for creating packet identifiers for arriving packets wherein each of said packet identifiers comprises:
• one or more of an identifier of a device from which an associated arriving packet was received;
• and
• an indication of whether said associated arriving packet has increased or decreased in total size during processing;
• and
• insertion logic for inserting said packet identifiers into said plurality of queues and for determining into which of said plurality of queues to insert a particular one or said packet identifiers.

A method for accounting for packets in a data-packet processor, comprising:

• providing in the processor a plurality of queues in one or more clusters;
• creating a packet identifier for an arriving packet wherein said creating comprises:
• identifying a device from which the arriving packet was received;
• and
• indicating whether or not the arriving packet has increased or decreased in total size during processing;
• and
• inserting the packet identifier into one of the plurality if queues.

A data packet processor, for performing accounting during packet processing, the data packet processor comprising:

• a plurality of queues arranged in one or more clusters;
• an identification mechanism for creating packet identifiers for arriving packets, wherein each of said packet identifiers comprises:
• one or more of an identifier of a device from which an associated arriving packet was received;
• and
• an indication of whether or not processing on said associated arriving packet was completed;
• and
• insertion logic for inserting said packet identifiers into said plurality of queues and for determining into which of said plurality of queues to insert a particular one or said packet identifiers.

A queuing apparatus, for performing packet accounting in a packet processor, the queuing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of queues arranged in one or more clusters;
• an identification mechanism for creating packet identifiers for arriving packets, wherein each of said packet identifiers comprises:
• one or more of an identifier of a device from which an associated arriving packet was received;
• and
• a next queue into which said each of said packet identifiers should be inserted;
• and
• insertion logic for inserting said packet identifiers into said plurality of queues and for determining into which of said plurality of queues to insert a particular one or said packet identifiers.

An apparatus in a data packet processor, for performing packet accounting during packet processing, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of queues arranged in one or more clusters;
• an identification mechanism for creating packet identifiers for arriving packets, wherein each of said packet identifiers comprises:
• one or more of an identifier of a device from which an associated arriving packet was received;
• and
• a next queue into which said each of said packet identifiers should be inserted;
• and
• insertion logic for inserting said packet identifiers into said plurality of queues and for determining into which of said plurality of queues to insert a particular one or said packet identifiers.

An apparatus in a packet processor, for performing packet accounting during packet processing, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of queues arranged in one or more clusters;
• an identification mechanism for creating packet identifiers for arriving packets, wherein each of said packet identifiers comprises:
• one or more of an identifier of a device from which an associated arriving packet was received;
• and
• an identifier of whether said associated arriving packet is currently being processed;
• and
• insertion logic for inserting said packet identifiers into said plurality of queues and for determining into which of said plurality of queues to insert a particular one or said packet identifiers.