Ultra low latency multi-protocol network device

摘要

Presented herein are techniques to achieve ultra low latency determination of processing decisions for packets in a network device. A packet is received at a port of a network device. A processing decision is determined in a first processing decision path based on content of the packet and one or more network policies. A processing decision is determined in a second processing decision path, in parallel with the first processing path, by accessing a table storing processing decisions. The second processing decision path can output a processing decision faster than the first processing decision path for packets that match one or more particular packet flow parameters contained in the table. A processing decision determined by the second processing decision path, if one can be made, is used, and otherwise a processing decision determined by the first processing decision path is used.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
processing a first received packet in a first decision path of a network device by first determining a first processing decision based on content of the first received packet and a network policy; updating stored data in a table with the first processing decision, information associated with the first processing decision, and packet flow parameters of the first received packet; processing a second received packet in a second decision path of the network device by second determining a second processing decision based on the stored data when packet flow parameters of the second received packet match the stored data; processing the second received packet in the first decision path by third determining a third processing decision based on content of the second received packet and the network policy; and selecting for output the second processing decision when the packet flow parameters of the second received packet match the stored data, otherwise selecting the third processing decision, wherein each processing decision is one of forwarding the packet, switching the packet, allowing the packet to bypass, or dropping the packet.