Network processor, communication device, packet transfer method, and computer-readable recording medium

A communication apparatus comprising:

• a managing unit that adds update information to an entry to be updated of a table updated prior to a change of a network configuration, and that deletes the update information when the update of the table caused by the change of the network configuration is completed;
• a packet processing unit that executes a plurality of pipeline processes using the table in sequence for a packet input to an input queue, and that suspends executing the pipeline processes when the update information is added to any entry of the table;
• and
• a reprocessing control unit that stores an input packet in a reprocessing queue when the pipeline processes executed by the packet processing unit is suspended, and that transfers the packet stored in the reprocessing queue to the input queue when update of the table to which the update information is added is all completed.

A packet transfer method comprising:

• sequentially executing a plurality of pipeline processes using a table on a packet input to an input queue;
• adding update information to an entry to be updated in a table updated prior to a change of a network configuration;
• suspending executing the pipeline processes when the update information is added to an entry of the table that is used in the pipeline processes executed on an input packet;
• storing the input packet in a reprocessing queue when the pipeline is suspended;
• transferring the packet stored in the reprocessing queue, when update of the table to which the update information is added is all completed;
• and
• resuming executing the pipeline processes on the packet transferred to the input queue from the reprocessing queue.

A computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a program that causes a computer to execute:

• suspending executing the pipeline processes when the update information is added to an entry of the table that is used in the pipeline processes executed on an input packet;
• storing the input packet in a reprocessing queue when the pipeline is suspended;
• transferring the packet stored in the reprocessing queue, when update of the table to which the update information is added is all completed;
• and
• resuming executing the pipeline processes on the packet transferred to the input queue from the reprocessing queue.