Method and apparatus for providing multiple data class differentiation with priorities using a single scheduling structure
AssigneeAgere Systems Inc.
InventorsJian-Guo Chen, David P. Sonnier, Ambalavanar Arulambalam, David E. Clune
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Abstract
A scheduler for shared network resources implementing a plurality of user selectable data scheduling schemes within a single hardware device. The schemes include strict priority, priority for one class plus smooth deficit weighted round robin for the other classes, bandwidth limited strict priority and smooth deficit weighted round robin for all user classes. The network operator selects one of the four schemes by enabling or disabling certain bits in the hardware device.
Claims16
An integrated circuit structure for selecting data for service by a shared network resource, wherein the data is supplied from a plurality of network users, said integrated circuit structure comprising:
- a circuit module implementing a plurality of scheduling schemes;
- and
- a selector for selecting one of the plurality of scheduling schemes for controlling the servicing of the data by the network resource.
An apparatus for selecting data from a plurality of network users for service by a shared network resource, wherein each network user is assigned to a priority class, and wherein the scheduling scheme for selecting the data for servicing by the network resource is selectable from among a plurality of scheduling schemes, said apparatus comprising:
- a controller for receiving a signal indicating the selected scheduling scheme;
- a plurality of scheduling blocks each processing data from a respective priority class and providing an eligible queue output signal in response to data awaiting service from the respective priority class;
- and
- a class selector for determining the data to be serviced in response to the eligible queue output signal from each one of said plurality of scheduling blocks and further in response to the selected scheduling scheme.
For a shared network resource receiving data from a plurality of subscriber classes each comprising a plurality of subscribers, a method for implementing a user-selectable scheduling scheme, from among a plurality of available scheduling schemes, for controlling processing of the data received by the network resource, comprising:
- determining the user-selected scheduling scheme;
- and
- if a first scheduling scheme is selected, processing received data from subscribers of the plurality of subscriber classes according to a predetermined priority order for each subscriber class;
- and
- if a second scheduling scheme is selected, first processing received data from subscribers within at least the highest priority subscriber class, then processing received data from subscribers within the remaining subscriber classes according to a round robin scheduling scheme.
A scheduler for selecting data for service by a shared network resource, wherein data is received at the shared network resource from a plurality of network users, said scheduler comprising:
- a first module comprising a plurality of scheduling schemes;
- and
- a selector for selecting one of the plurality of scheduling schemes to control access to the shared network resource.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.