Architecture for high speed class of service enabled linecard

An apparatus for routing packets in a communications network device comprising:

• an outbound receiver connected to and concurrently receiving at least one outbound packet into a first buffer;
• a first packet modifier circuit that modifies said outbound packet according to information contained in said outbound packet;
• and
• an outbound queue manager connected to said first packet modifier circuit that buffers said outbound packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer
• wherein said outbound receiver and said first packet modifier circuit each operate substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A method of routing packets in a communications network device, comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving an inbound packet into a first buffer at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• b) comparing said header to a data structure;
• c) determining routing information;
• d) modifying said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• e) buffering said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• wherein said steps a) through d) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A method of routing packets in a communications network device, comprising the steps of:

• a) concurrently receiving at least one outbound packet into a first buffer;
• b) modifying said outbound packet according to information contained in said outbound packet;
• and
• c) buffering said outbound packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• wherein said steps a) and b) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A computer system for interfacing with a communications network, comprising computer instructions for:

• a) receiving an inbound packet into a first buffer at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• b) comparing said header to a data structure;
• c) determining routing information;
• d) modifying said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• e) buffering said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• wherein said steps a) through d) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for:

• a) receiving an inbound packet into a first buffer at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• b) comparing said header to a data structure;
• c) determining routing information;
• d) modifying said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• e) buffering said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• wherein said steps a) through d) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A computer readable carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for:

• a) receiving an inbound packet into a first buffer at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• b) comparing said header to a data structure;
• c) determining routing information;
• d) modifying said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• e) buffering said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• wherein said steps a) through d) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

An apparatus for routing packets in a communications network device comprising:

• an inbound receiver comprising a first buffer that receives an inbound packet at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• a lookup circuit connected to said inbound receiver that compares said header to a data structure and determines routing information;
• a first packet modifier circuit that modifies said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• an inbound queue manager connected to said first packet modifier circuit that buffers said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer,
• an outbound receiver connected to and concurrently receiving at least one outbound packet into a third buffer;
• a second packet modifier circuit that modifies said outbound packet according to information contained in said outbound packet;
• and
• an outbound queue manager connected to said second packet modifier circuit that buffers said outbound packet using a fourth buffer for transmission, said fourth buffer being substantially larger than said third buffer,
• wherein said inbound receiver, said lookup circuit, said first packet modifier circuit, said outbound receiver, and said second packet modifier circuit each operate substantially at said line rate in said linecard.

A method of routing packets in a communications network device, said method comprising:

• a) receiving an inbound packet into a first buffer at a line rate, said inbound packet comprising a header and a tail;
• b) comparing said header to a data structure;
• c) determining routing information;
• d) modifying said header according to at least said routing information to form a modified packet;
• e) buffering said modified packet using a second buffer for transmission, said second buffer being substantially larger than said first buffer;
• f) concurrently receiving at least one outbound packet into a third buffer;
• g) modifying said outbound packet according to information contained in said outbound packet;
• and
• h) buffering said outbound packet using a fourth buffer for transmission, said fourth buffer being substantially larger than said third buffer;
• wherein a) through d), f), and g) are performed substantially at said line rate in said linecard.