Method and apparatus for managing packets in a packet switched network

摘要

Methods and apparatus for managing packets in a packet switched network include, in at least one aspect, a device including: an input to receive a packet from one of a plurality of network devices, the plurality of network devices configured to communicate with one or more others of the network devices using a plurality of packets; and circuitry configured to control packet switching of the plurality of packets, at least one packet including: a switch tag including a tag portion embedded with switching information and an extended tag portion embedded with additional switching information, the switching information and the additional switching information configured to control a switching pattern associated with the at least one packet.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a processor, a packet, the packet containing a switch tag having a tag portion embedded with switching information and an extended tag portion embedded with additional switching information; determining a target device to which the packet is to be sent, the target device being one of a plurality of network devices; modifying the packet to include information identifying the target device; and forwarding the packet to the target device to cause switching of the packet across the plurality of network devices based on the switching information and the additional switching information; wherein the plurality of network devices are configured to communicate using a plurality of packets, which include the packet; wherein each of the plurality of network devices includes a port through which packets are forwarded; and wherein the switch tag includes information identifying a source device from which the packet is generated and a tag command that identifies an associated port through which the packet is forwarded.