US 7,249,206 B2 · Dynamic memory allocation between inbound and outbound buffers in a protocol handler

Abstract

An apparatus and method for dynamically allocating memory between inbound and outbound paths of a networking protocol handler so as to optimize the ratio of a given amount of memory between the inbound and outbound buffers is presented. Dedicated but sharable buffer memory is provided for both the inbound and outbound processors of a computer network. Buffer memory is managed so as to dynamically alter what portion of memory is used to receive and store incoming data packets or to transmit outgoing data packets. Use of the present invention reduces throttling of data rate transmissions and other memory access bottlenecks associated with conventional fixed-memory network systems.

Claims3

Dependent claims

An apparatus for processing packets comprising:

an inbound memory for receiving data packets;
an outbound memory for transmitting data packets;
circuitry capable of dynamically allocating memory from the inbound memory for use by the outbound memory or from the outbound memory for use by the inbound memory;
a first processor for controlling the inbound memory;
and
a second processor for controlling the outbound memory,
wherein the first processor controls the receiving of the data packets and processing of the received data packets.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/710,414Filed 8 Jul 2004 · division

Priority

12 Mar 2002

Published

US 2004/0233924 A125 Nov 2004

Granted

24 Jul 2007

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H04L 49/9047
Buffering arrangements: including multiple buffers, e.g. buffer pools
H04L 49/90
Packet switching elements: buffering arrangements
H04L 49/3018
Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports: input queuing
H04L 49/3027
Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports: output queuing

Dynamic memory allocation between inbound and outbound buffers in a protocol handler

Life of this patent

Dynamic memory allocation between inbound and outbound buffers in a protocol handler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3