DYNAMIC MEMORY REALLOCATION FOR MATCH-ACTION PACKET PROCESSING

摘要

A pool of unit memories is provided in order to flexibly allocate memory capacity to implement various tables and/or logical memories such as those for implementing an OpenFlow switch. The pool is structured with routing resources for allowing flexible allocation and reallocation of memory capacity to the various tables. The unit memories and logical units in the pool are interconnected by a set of horizontal routing resources and a set of vertical routing resources.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
configuring a pool of unit memories for implementing a plurality of tables, wherein each table is allocated a unique set of the unit memories, said configuring constrained by a first set of constraints for using routing resources in the pool; receiving packets and computing packet forwarding decisions based on data from the received packets and data stored in each table; and reconfiguring the pool of unit memories in order to re-allocate a unit memory from a first table to a second table while using said tables to compute packet forwarding decisions, said reconfiguring constrained by a second set of constraints for using routing resources in the pool.