Mechanism for run time programming of hardware resources with least interference with continued operation

摘要

An apparatus for programming selected entries in an address filter table allows dynamic updating of address registers and eliminates the need to disable unmodified registers in arrangements including multiple registers or entries. The apparatus comprises an interface for receiving data frames from a remote station. A media access controller is provided with an address filter table capable of storing a plurality of entries. Each entry includes an address field for storing a predetermined target address, and an enable field for indicating whether or not the entry is valid. The media access controller is configured to receive each of the data frames from the interface. The media access controller examines the enable field of each entry in the address filter table to determine whether or not the entry is valid. The received data frames are then routed to a destination address based upon the target addresses stored in the address filter table. A device manager may be used for updating the entries in the address filter table.