System and a method for processing data packets or frames
AssigneeVitesse Semiconductor Corporation
InventorsJens P. Tagore-Brage, Martin E. Andersen, Ole C. Andersen
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Abstract
In flow control, such as in Ethernet communication, the data is divided into queues of different priorities so that, when transmission is enabled, quality of service may be provided by first transmitting data of high priority. A networking element, such as a switch, a router, a bridge or a MAC, is adapted to transfer flow control information without awaiting its own buffer to fill. This reduces latency and facilitates the providing of networking elements without buffers.
Claims39
A system for processing data packets or frames, the system comprising:
- means for providing the data packets or frames,
- analysing means for providing, for each data packet or frame provided, one priority of a plurality of priorities,
- queue means for storing the data packets or frames in each of a number of queues each relating to one or more of the plurality of priorities,
- one or more outputs for outputting the provided, analysed, and stored data packets or frames,
- means for transferring each data packet or frame from the queue means to an output,
- wherein the transferring means are adapted to receive stopping information and to, upon receipt thereof, stop transfer of data packets or frames from at least one of the queues to at least one output.
A method for processing data packets or frames, the method comprising:
- providing the data packets or frames,
- providing, for each data packet or frame provided, one priority of a plurality of priorities,
- storing the data packets or frames in one of a number of queues each relating to one or more of the plurality of priorities,
- receiving each data packet or frame from the queues and outputting the data packet or frame from one or more outputs,
- wherein the receiving and outputting step comprises receiving stopping information and stopping transfer of data packets or frames from at least one of the queues to at least one of the outputs.
A networking element having:
- a first input/output connected to a first link communicating with a second networking element, the first I/O being adapted to receive data from the second networking element and to transmit stopping/congestion information to the second networking element,
- a second input/output connected to a second link communicating with a third networking element, the second I/O being adapted to transmit data to the third networking element and to receive stopping/congestion information from the third networking element,
- first means for receiving data from the first I/O and transmitting data to the second I/O,
- second means for receiving stopping/congestion information from the second I/O and transmitting stopping/congestion information to the first I/O,
- the second means being adapted to, upon receipt of the stopping/congestion information from the second I/O, transmit stopping/congestion information to the first I/O without delay.
A method of receiving and transmitting data in and from a networking element, the method comprising:
- receiving, on a first input/output of the networking element connected to a first link communicating with a second networking element, data from the second networking element and transmitting stopping/congestion information to the second networking element,
- transmitting, on a second input/output of the networking element connected to a second link communicating with a third networking element, data to the third networking element and receiving stopping/congestion information from the third networking element,
- in a first means, receiving data from the first I/O and transmitting data to the second I/O,
- in a second means, receiving stopping/congestion information from the second I/O and transmitting stopping/congestion information to the first I/O,
- the second means, upon receipt of the stopping/congestion information from the second I/O, transmitting stopping/congestion information to the first I/O without delay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.