Method and apparatus for reassembly of data blocks within a network processor
AssigneeAgere Systems Inc.
InventorsJoel R. Davidson, James T. Kirk, Mauricio Calle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for reassembling data blocks back into their constituent data packets in a network processor. Each data block associated with a packet is assigned a unique queue identifier for use in assembling all blocks from the same packet. The packet is also assigned a packet identifier, a start of packet identifier and an end of packet identifier for use by downstream network processors to process the packet. The blocks are assembled according to the assigned queue identifier until the last block of a packet is received, at which time the packet reassembly is complete.
Claims25
For a plurality of data packets segmented into one or more data blocks, a method for reassembling the data blocks into their respective data packets, said method comprising:
- receiving a data block;
- assigning the same queue identifier to each data block from the same packet;
- grouping together all data blocks having the same queue identifier;
- and.
- assigning a packet identifier to each data block, wherein all data blocks reassembled into the same packet are assigned the same packet identifier.
An apparatus for reassembling data blocks back into the data packets from which they were partitioned, said apparatus comprising:
- a preprocessor for assigning the same queue identifier to each data block from the same packet;
- a reassembler for grouping together all data blocks having the same queue identifier and for assigning a packet identifier to each data block, wherein all data blocks reassembled into the same packet are assigned the same packet identifier;
- and
- a data buffer for storing the data blocks according to the assigned packet identifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.