Frame relay apparatus and a relay method

A method for relaying a frame on a frame relay apparatus, the frame being received at a first rate, and transmitted on a transmission line at a second rate, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving the frame from a transmission source, the frame having a header;
• (b) determining the first rate and the second rate by referring to a reference table using information from the header;
• (c) if the second rate is not greater than the first rate, transmitting the frame immediately;
• (d) if the second rate is greater than the first rate, calculating a ratio of the first rate with respect to the second rate to determine a buffering amount in conjunction with a frame length of the frame;
• (e) buffering the received frame in accordance with the buffering amount if step (d) determines the second rate is greater;
• and
• (f) transmitting the buffered frame, if step (d) determines the second rate is greater.

A method of relaying a frame on a frame relay apparatus in a frame relay network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a frame at a reception rate;
• (b) determining if a destination of the frame is outside the frame relay network;
• (c) if step (b) determines that the frame is destined to outside of the frame relay network, buffering the entire frame and checking the frame for a frame check sequence error;
• (d) checking if the received frame is from a source outside the frame relay network;
• (e) if step (d) determines that the source is outside the frame relay network determining a frame length of the frame;
• (f) calculating a buffering amount based upon the reception rate, a transmission rate, and the frame length;
• (g) buffering an amount of the received frame in accordance with the buffering amount;
• and
• (h) transmitting the buffered frame data at the transmission rate.

A method of relaying a frame on a frame relay apparatus in a frame relay network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a frame at a reception rate;
• (b) determining if a destination of the frame is outside the frame relay network;
• (c) if step (b) determines that the frame is destined to outside of the frame relay network, buffering the entire frame and checking the frame for a frame check sequence error;
• (d) calculating a buffering amount based upon the reception rate, a transmission rate, and the frame length;
• (e) buffering an amount of the received frame in accordance with the buffering amount;
• and
• (f) transmitting the buffered frame data at the transmission rate.

A method of relaying a frame on a frame relay apparatus in a frame relay network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a frame at a reception rate;
• (b) checking if the received frame is from a source outside the frame relay network;
• (c) if step (b) determines that the source is outside the frame relay network determining a frame length of the frame;
• (d) calculating a buffering amount based upon the reception rate, a transmission rate, and the frame length;
• (e) buffering a portion of the received frame prior to commencing transmission, the portion buffered being in accordance with the buffering amount;
• and
• (f) transmitting the frame data at the transmission rate.

A method of relaying a frame on a frame relay apparatus in a frame relay network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a frame at a reception rate;
• (b) calculating a buffering amount based upon the reception rate, a transmission rate, and the frame length;
• (c) buffering a portion of the received frame prior to commencing transmission, the portion buffered being in accordance with the buffering amount;
• and
• (d) transmitting the frame data at the transmission rate.