System and method for local packet transport services within distributed routers

1. A router comprising:

a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor; and

a line card operably coupled to the plurality of route processors;

wherein one or more route processors include an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein each IFIB includes information used to route packets addressed to router elements within the router;

wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router, wherein the list of flows includes a first flow associated with packets directed to a first router element;

wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a port arbitrator, wherein the port arbitrator assembles and distributes the IFIB; and

wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a flow manager coupled to the port arbitrator and the line card, wherein the flow manager receives portions of the IFIB from the port arbitrator and assigns sessions to router elements within the router as a function of a router policy.

2. The router of claim 1 , wherein the line card includes a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows stored in the IFIB;

wherein the pre-IFIB is used by the line card to route a packet associated with the first flow to the first router element.

3. The router of claim 1 , wherein one of the route processors includes a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows stored in the IFIB;

wherein the pre-IFIB is used by the route processor to route a packet associated with the first flow to the first router element.

4. The router of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a flow manager operably coupled to the port arbitrator and to the line card, wherein the flow manager receives a locally-addressed packet from the line card and assigns a session to a router element as a function of router policy.

5. A router comprising:

a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor; and

a line card operably coupled to the plurality of route processors;

wherein one or more route processors include an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein each IFIB includes information used to route packets addressed to router elements within the router, wherein the router elements include a first router element and a second router element, wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router, the list of flows includes a first flow associated with packets directed to the first router element;

wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a port arbitrator, the port arbitrator assembles and distributes the IFIB;

wherein the second router element includes a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows stored in the IFIB; and

wherein the pre-IFIB is used by the second router element to route a packet associated with the first flow to the first router element.

6. The router of claim 5 , wherein the pre-IFIB is stored in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM).

7. A computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium stores thereon program code executable by a processor which, when installed in a router having a line card and a plurality of route-processors, creates a port arbitrator and a flow manager, the program code further comprising:

program code for operably coupling the flow manager port arbitrator and to the line card;

program code for assembling, within the port arbitrator, an internal forwarding information base (IFIB) associated with flows to internal elements of the router and for distributing portions of the IFIB to the flow manager; and

program code for receiving, at the flow manager, a locally-addressed packet from the line card and for assigning a session to a router element as a function of a router policy.

8. A router, comprising:

a network;

a plurality of router elements operably coupled across the network, wherein the plurality of router elements include a line card and a plurality of route processors, wherein the plurality of route processors include a first route processor;

wherein the first route processor includes an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router; and

wherein one or more router elements include a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows terminating within the router.

9. The router of claim 8 , wherein the first route processor includes a port arbitrator, wherein the port arbitrator assembles the IFIB and distributes it to one or more route processors.

10. The router according to claim 8 , wherein the first route processor includes a port arbitrator, wherein the port arbitrator assembles the IFIB; and

wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a flow manager, wherein the port arbitrator distributes the IFIB to the flow manager.

11. A computerized method for managing a router having a plurality of router elements, wherein the router elements include a line card and a plurality of route processors, the method comprising:

generating an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein the IFIB maps one or more flows to the router elements;

distributing the internal forwarding information base to at least one router element; and

wherein one or more router elements include a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows terminating within the router.

12. The computerized method as in claim 11 , wherein generating includes establishing a port arbitrator within one of the route processors, wherein the port arbitrator assembles the IFIB as a function of flows associated with router elements within the router and distributes the IFIB to one or more of the route processors.

13. A router, comprising:

a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor;

a line card operably coupled to the plurality of route processors; and

means for maintaining an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein the IFIB includes information used to route locally addressed packets to one or more of the route processors, wherein the means for maintaining includes a port arbitrator executing within the first route processor, wherein the port arbitrator assembles and distributes the IFIB;

wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router and the list of flows including a first flow associated with packets directed to the first route processor; and

wherein one of the plurality of route processors includes a flow manager coupled to the port arbitrator and the line card, wherein the flow manager receives portions of the IFIB from the port arbitrator and assigns sessions to router elements within the router as a function of a router policy.

14. A router comprising:

a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor;

a line card operably coupled to the plurality of route processors; and

means for maintaining an internal forwarding information base (IFIB), wherein the IFIB includes information used to route locally addressed packets to one or more of the route processors;

wherein the IFIB is organized as a list of flows terminating within the router, wherein the list of flows includes a first flow associated with packets directed to a first router element within the router;

wherein the first route processor includes a pre-IFIB, wherein the pre-IFIB includes a subset of the list of flows stored in the IFIB; and

wherein the first route processor uses its pre-IFIB to route a packet associated with the first flow to the first router element.

15. The router of claim 14 , wherein the pre-IFIB is stored in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM).