US 10,313,270 B1 · End point multiplexing for efficient layer 4 switching

Abstract

This disclosure provides for an enhancement to a transport layer switch and, in particular the management of end points. In this approach, a memory space, such as a large logical ring buffer, is shared by incumbent connections to facilitate a space multiplexing end point management scheme. Preferably, memory allocation in the memory space is done packet-by-packet dynamically. Because the memory space is shared by all admitted connections, packets belonging to the same connection are not necessarily located physically consecutive to each other. A packet indexing mechanism that implements a set of pointers ensures that consecutiveness for packets on the same connection is maintained. This approach to end point multiplexing provides significant benefits by improving resource utilization, and enabling a higher number of connections to be served.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of transport layer (Layer 4) switching, comprising:

allocating a memory space for use by a plurality of end points, wherein each end point represents a datagram buffer space, and wherein pairs of end points support connections adapted to be switched;
configuring the memory space as a logical ring buffer of slots, wherein a slot consists essentially of a Layer 4 data packet together with an internal slot header, wherein an end point is structured as a collection of logically-consecutive slots into which data waiting to be switched is written, the internal slot header maintaining logical consecutiveness of the collection, the logical ring buffer being shared by all admitted connections across the pairs of end points that are to be switched;
maintaining, for each pair of end points associated with a connection, a set of pointers to the slots;
for at least a first connection, switching the first connection to a second connection by reading or writing packet data from the logical ring buffer using the set of pointers.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

End point multiplexing for efficient layer 4 switching

Life of this patent

End point multiplexing for efficient layer 4 switching

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17