This is the kicker and real question: does it require the CPU to forward regular traffic? I believe the answer is yes, the Extreme is a flow-based architecture and the first packet of each unique flow (however it is defined) will need to be processed by the CPU. This is why the problems
Yes, exactly what I'm saying. Flow here is defined as a destination IP number.
No... Flow is defined as at least the unique combination of source and destination addresses, and, often, the unique combination of source and destination IP addresses and port numbers + the layer 4 protocol used.
I can understand how a virus like Welchia can affect a flow-based architecture like Extremes. I was under the impression that CEF enabled Cisco gear wouldnt have this problem, but Cisco has instructions on their webpage on how deal with it and cites CPU usage as the reason. With CEF I thought the CPU wasn't involved? CEF is perhaps differently implemented on different plattforms?
CEF is a flow-based solution much like Extreme's. There are enhancements to CEF in some of Cisco's newer products (such as dCEF) which take some of this off of the CPU. Owen