TWO MODES OF A CONFIGURATION INTERFACE OF A NETWORK ASIC

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a configuration interface of a network ASIC. The configuration interface allows for two modes of traversal of nodes. The nodes form one or more chains. Each chain is in a ring or a list topology. A master receives external access transactions. Once received by the master, an external access transaction traverses the chains to reach a target node. A target node either is an access to a memory space or is a module. A chain can include at least one decoder. A decoder includes logic that determines which of its leaves to send an external access transaction to. In contrast, if a module is not the target node, then the module passes an external access transaction to the next node coupled thereto; otherwise, if the module is the target node, the transmission of the external access transaction stops at the module.

主权项

1. A network device comprising:
a memory; a controller receiving an external access transaction from a source; a plurality of slaves, wherein each of the plurality of slaves includes a set of registers; and a network ASIC including a configuration interface that allows for two modes of traversal of nodes for propagation of the external access transaction to a target node.