2 layer alpha based buffer management with dynamic RED

An apparatus, comprising:

• a network port, configured to receive packets from a network;
• an Input/Output (I/O) interface, configured to couple the apparatus in communication with multiple hosts;
• memory;
• and
• circuitry and logic coupled to the network port and the memory to, implement a portion of the memory as a buffer;
• dynamically share the buffer across the multiple hosts using a first set of alpha parameters, wherein the portion of memory space for the buffer is dynamically allocated for each host;
• and
• for at least one host, dynamically share buffer space allocated to that host among one or more sub queues using a second set of alpha parameters.

An integrated circuit (IC) configured to be installed in an apparatus having a network port and an Input/Output (I/O) interface used to facilitate communication with multiple hosts, the IC comprising circuitry and logic to:

• implement a portion of on-die memory internal to the IC or memory external to the IC as a buffer;
• dynamically share the buffer across the multiple hosts using a first set of alpha parameters;
• and
• for at least one host, dynamically share buffer space allocated to that host among one or more sub queues using a second set of alpha parameters.