Buffer scheduling method for flow switching

Abstract

A buffer scheduling method is provided for use in an Internet data center in which flows are transmitted in a “Hybrid Switching Mode” using both an optical circuit switch and an electrical circuit switch or in an “All-optical Switching Mode” using only the optical circuit switch, to improve the overall switch throughput. In the “Hybrid Switching Mode,” an offloading scheme can be used; in the “All-optical Switching Mode,” a discard scheme, a padding scheme, a free-riding scheme, an aggregate scheme or a smart scheme can be used. During the transitioning stage of the technology, the offloading scheme can be used in the “Hybrid Switching Mode” to achieve significant improvement in the overall switching efficiency, whereas in the all-optical switching field, the free-riding scheme, the aggregate scheme and the smart scheme can be used to achieve good switching efficiency in the “All-optical Switching Mode.”

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.