Distributing information across equal-cost paths in a network
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorsMohan Kalkunte, Srinivas Sampath, Karagada Ramarao Kishore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of distributing data across a network having a plurality of equal-cost paths. Also, a device for distributing data over a network according to the method. The data, which is typically contained in data packets, may be distributed based on at least one attribute of each of the packets. The data may also be distributed according to a weighted distribution function that allows for unequal amounts of traffic to be distributed to each of the equal-cost paths.
Claims13
A method of distributing data across a network, the method comprising:
- providing a distribution device configured to distribute packets of data across a set of equal-cost paths in the network;
- determining if a set of equal-cost paths exist;
- and
- distributing the packets across the paths based on at least one attribute of each of the packets,
- wherein the distributing comprises using a pointer portion from a first set of instructions of a first compilation set of instructions to select a second set of instructions from a second compilation set of instructions, and
- wherein the first set of instructions includes a first value that specifies how much weight is to be given to each equal-cost path in the set of equal-cost paths.
A method of distributing data across a network, the method comprising:
- providing a distribution device configured to distribute a set of packets of data across a set of equal-cost paths in the network;
- and
- distributing each packet in the set of packets across the set of equal-cost paths according to a weighted distribution so that at least one of said packets is given greater weight to be distributed across at least one of said equal-cost paths than at least one other of said equal-cost paths, said packet weight corresponding to a number of entries stored in a memory, wherein the distributing comprises
- obtaining a match between a longest prefix in a first packet and a portion of a first set of instructions in a first compilation of sets of instructions, and
- using a pointer portion from the first set of instructions to select a second set of instructions from a second compilation of sets of instructions, wherein the first set of instructions includes a first value that specifies how much weight is to be given to each equal-cost path in the set of equal-cost paths.
A distribution device, the device comprising:
- a set of ports;
- and
- a first distribution unit, including a device logic, wherein the first distribution unit is configured to use the device logic to distribute a packet of data entering the device through a first port among the set of ports to a second port among the set of ports, the device logic comprising:
- a first lookup unit including an acknowledgement unit for acknowledging whether multiple equal-cost paths exist, a first referencing unit for referencing a second lookup unit when multiple equal-cost paths do exist, and a second referencing unit for referencing a third lookup unit otherwise,
- the second lookup unit including a second distribution unit for distributing the packet across the set of ports and a third referencing unit for referencing the third lookup unit, and
- the third lookup unit including a selection unit for selecting the second port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.