METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING FRAME PROCESSING FOR A NETWORK

摘要

An improved frame processing apparatus (200) for a network that supports high speed frame processing is disclosed. The frame processing apparatus (200) uses a combination of fixed hardware and programmable hardware to implement network processing, including frame processing and media access control (MAC) processing. Although generally applicable to frame processing for networks, the improved frame processing apparatus (200) is particular suited for token-ring networks and ethernet networks. The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as an apparatus, an integrated circuit and network equipment.