Intelligent buffering for packet reordering by virtual nodes within a network device

A network device comprising:

• a plurality of packet processors;
• a plurality of fabric links coupling respective pairs of the plurality of packet processors at respective fabric interfaces of the plurality of fabric components;
• a virtual routing node of a plurality of virtual routing nodes, wherein the virtual routing node is configured to:
• receive one or more packets;
• determine whether the one or more packets are forwarded on a first path through the switch fabric or a second path through the switch fabric;
• in response to determining that the one or more packets are forwarded on the second path, buffer the one or more packets for a buffering time period;
• and
• in response to the buffering time period having elapsed, transmit the buffered one or more packets on an egress interface of the destination virtual routing node.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of packet processors;
• a plurality of fabric links coupling respective pairs of the plurality of packet processors at respective fabric interfaces of the plurality of fabric components;
• a path module for computing a buffering time period;
• a source virtual routing node and a destination virtual routing node of a plurality of virtual routing nodes, wherein the destination virtual routing node is configured to:
• receive one or more packets;
• determine, based on the forwarding information, whether the one or more packets are forwarded on the first path through the switch fabric or the second path through the switch fabric;
• in response determining that the one or more packets are forwarded on the second path, buffer the one or more packets for a buffering time period;
• and
• in response to the buffering time period having elapsed, transmit the buffered one or more packets on an egress interface of the destination virtual routing node.