Layout architecture for expandable network device

A method for processing data in a network device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving data at a plurality of ports of a network device, where at least one higher speed port of the plurality of ports receives data from inter-networked devices and a remainder of the plurality of ports receives data from a data network;
• forwarding the received data to a parser;
• parsing the received data by the parser to determine attributes of the received data and concurrently forwarding the received data to a memory management unit, configured to parse the data received from the data network;
• storing the received data by the memory management unit in a memory external to the network device;
• retrieving the received data from the memory and modifying the received data, if needed, based on the determined attributes to produce processed data;
• and
• forwarding processed data to an egress port of the plurality of ports;
• wherein the parsing step comprises two independent parsing steps, a first step of parsing data received by the at least one higher speed port and a second parsing step of independently parsing data received by the remainder of the plurality of ports.

A network device for processing data, the network device comprising:

• port means for receiving data, where the port means comprises at least one higher speed port means for receiving data from inter-networked devices and a remainder of the port means for receiving data from a data network;
• parsing means for parsing data received from the port means to determine attributes of the data;
• memory means for storing the data received from the parsing means by the memory management unit in a memory external to the network device and retrieving the stored data;
• modifying means for modifying retrieved, stored data, based on the determined attributes to produce processed data;
• and
• forwarding means for forwarding processed data to an egress port of the port means;
• wherein the parsing means comprises two independent parsing means, a first parsing means for parsing data received by the at least one higher speed port means and a second parsing means for independently parsing data received by the remainder of the port means.