US 6,424,625 B1 · Method and apparatus for discarding packets in a data network having automatic repeat request

Abstract

Techniques are provided for use with automatic repeat request (ARQ) schemes in a data network to minimize a bandwidth used by a receiver and a transmitter in the network to transfer data packets, by discarding outdated packets that have not yet been successfully transferred. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a bit is set in the ARQ packet header to force the receiver to accept packets subsequent to one or more erroneous or unreceived packets that have been discarded and not resent. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, after data packets have been discarded, sequence numbers are reassigned to the non-discarded data packets that are yet to be sent to the receiver, so that a transmitted stream of the non-discarded packets will have consecutive sequence numbers.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for discarding packets in a data network employing a packet transfer protocol including an automatic repeat request scheme, comprising the steps of:

a transmitter in the data network commanding a receiver in the data network to a) receive at least one packet having a sequence number that is not consecutive with a sequence number of a previously received packet and b) release any expectation of receiving outstanding packets having sequence numbers prior to the at least one packet;
and
the transmitter discarding all packets for which acknowledgment has not been received, and which have sequence numbers prior to the at least one packet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for discarding packets in a data network having automatic repeat request

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for discarding packets in a data network having automatic repeat request

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19