METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING REGISTER IMPLEMENTATION WITHOUT CODE CHANGE

A network switch configured for switching data packets across multiple ports uses numerous digital registers to process signals in support of the switch's functionalities. The design parameters associated with these registers are readily modifiable by storing these parameters in a central storage system. These design parameters are automatically read into the source code of a hardware description language, whereby the values and definitions of the registers are modified without altering the source code. Accordingly, any source code requiring updated bit definition and default values is automatically initialized without concern over design mismatch.