A method of processing internal operations in a network switch includes the steps
of constructing a lookup table in system memory by snooping a communication channel
in a network switch for lookup table information. Upon detection of lookup table
information on the communication channel, the lookup table information is transmitted
to a remote system memory, thereby constructing a lookup table in the remote system
memory. DMA operations are performed by providing a DMA descriptor including a
reload field therein. The DMA descriptor is processed, and a location of a next
DMA descriptor is identified based upon a condition of the reload field. The lookup
table in remote system memory enables CPU access to the lookup table without requiring
communication on the communication channel. The condition of the reload field enables
flexible DMA descriptor handling. A network switch also includes elements associated
with this method.
