Importance

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Abstract

A network switch for network communications includes a first data port interface. The first data port interface supports a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a first data rate. A second data port interface is provided; the second data port interface supports a plurality of data ports transmitting and receiving data at a second data rate. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. An internal memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the at least one second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and includes an external memory interface for communicating data from at least one of the first data port interface and the second data port interface and an external memory. A communication channel is provided, with the communication channel communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, the internal memory, and the memory management unit. A plurality of semiconductor-implemented lookup tables are provided, with the lookup tables including an address resolution lookup/layer three lookup, rules tables, and VLAN tables. One of the data port interfaces is configured to update the address resolution table based on newly learned layer to addresses. An update to an address table associated with an initial data port interface of the first and second data port interfaces results in the initial data port interface sending a synchronization signal to the other address resolution tables in the network switch. As a result, all address resolution tables on the network switch are synchronized on a per entry basis.

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First Claim