Method and system for managing transmission of fragmented data packets

Abstract

A method of managing transmission of a fragmented datagram in a network having end devices and intermediate routing or switching devices in which fragmentation of the datagram takes place at an upstream intermediate device. The method includes receiving and temporarily storing a first datagram fragment at a downstream intermediate device, the fragment including data allowing classification of the fragments of the datagram; and receiving and temporarily storing subsequent fragments of the same datagram at the downstream device. Once all datagram fragments are received, all of the fragments are classified and transmitted on based on the classification data of the first fragment. However, if a predetermined time period has elapsed and at least one fragment is missing, an action other than transmission on to a subsequent device is initiated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.