Multi-level replication counter storage device for multicast packet processing and related method for managing multicast packet processing

A method for managing multicast packet processing, comprising:

• storing a plurality of first count values associated with a same cell data of a first multicast packet required to be broadcasted to a plurality of multicast targets in a first-level storage device, wherein a sum of the stored first count values is equal to a number of multicast targets to which the same cell data of the first multicast packet is not broadcasted yet;
• storing a second count value in a second-level storage device, wherein the stored second count value is adjusted based on the first count values to indicate whether a multicast operation of the same cell data of the first multicast packet is accomplished;
• utilizing the first-level storage device to accomplish one de-queue operation by updating a first count value in K clock cycles;
• and
• utilizing the second-level storage device to accomplish one de-queue operation by updating the second count value in L clock cycles;
• wherein K and L are positive integers, and K>L.

A multi-level replication counter storage device for multicast packet processing, comprising:

• a first-level storage device, configured to store a plurality of first count values associated with a same cell data of a first multicast packet required to be broadcasted to a plurality of multicast targets, wherein a sum of the stored first count values is equal to a number of multicast targets to which the same cell data of the first multicast packet is not broadcasted yet;
• and
• a second-level storage device, configured to store a second count value which is adjusted based on the first count values to indicate whether a multicast operation of the same cell data of the first multicast packet is accomplished;
• wherein multiple multicast packets, including the first multicast packet and a second multicast packet, are buffered in a single clock cycle;
• the first-level storage device is further configured to store a plurality of third count values associated with a same cell data of the second multicast packet required to be broadcasted to the multicast targets;
• a sum of the stored third count values is equal to a number of multicast targets to which the same cell data of the second multicast packet is not broadcasted yet;
• and the second-level storage device is further configured to store a fourth count value which is adjusted based on the third count values to indicate whether a multicast operation of the same cell data of the second multicast packet is accomplished.