An example network switch includes: a hardware platform; a first switch port, supported by the hardware platform, configured to receive first network traffic for a network; and switch logic, supported by the hardware platform, configured to copy the first network traffic received by the first switch port to generate mirrored traffic for a second switch port in the network, the switch logic further configured to embed metadata into the mirrored traffic, the metadata including information extrinsic to the first network traffic, the switch logic further configured to send the mirrored traffic to a device connected to the second switch port.

An example network switch includes: a hardware platform; a first switch port, supported by the hardware platform, configured to receive first network traffic for a network; and switch logic, supported by the hardware platform, configured to copy the first network traffic received by the first switch port to generate mirrored traffic for a second switch port in the network, the switch logic further configured to embed metadata into the mirrored traffic, the metadata including information extrinsic to the first network traffic, the switch logic further configured to send the mirrored traffic to a device connected to the second switch port.

The subject technology is directed to a switch apparatus for address translation in data communication systems. In an embodiment, the switch apparatus includes a first port configured to receive a first request associated with a first address and a cache configured to store a plurality of mapping entries. The switch apparatus further includes a routing unit coupled to the cache, configured to determine the presence or absence of a second address associated with the first address in the cache. The cache allows for efficient storage and retrieval of frequently used address translations, reducing the need to repeatedly access the host system for address translations. This minimizes latency in handling data requests and improves overall system performance. By retrieving address translations from the cache, the system can optimize data flow and enhance the speed and efficiency of data communication across multiple devices. There are other embodiments as well.

The subject technology is directed to a switch apparatus for address translation in data communication systems. In an embodiment, the switch apparatus includes a first port configured to receive a first request associated with a first address and a cache configured to store a plurality of mapping entries. The switch apparatus further includes a routing unit coupled to the cache, configured to determine the presence or absence of a second address associated with the first address in the cache. The cache allows for efficient storage and retrieval of frequently used address translations, reducing the need to repeatedly access the host system for address translations. This minimizes latency in handling data requests and improves overall system performance. By retrieving address translations from the cache, the system can optimize data flow and enhance the speed and efficiency of data communication across multiple devices. There are other embodiments as well.