Schedule prediction for data link layer packets
AssigneeSun Microsytems, Inc.
InventorsMorten Schanke, Magne Vidulf Sandven, Finn Egil Grimnes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There can be provided a port operable for a PCI Express link. The port can comprise a scheduler operable to determine a next management packet transmission time, and a windower operable to determine a transmission window based upon the next management packet transmission time. The port can also comprise an inserter operable to examine a data packet stream to determine whether a gap therein occurs during the transmission window, and if such a gap does occur to control insertion of a management packet thereinto. Thus transmission efficiency for management packets over the link can be increased.
Claims24
A port operable for a PCI Express link, comprising:
- a scheduler operable to determine a next management packet transmission time;
- a windower operable to determine a transmission window based upon the next management packet transmission time;
- an evaluative forward-looker to determine an optimum scheduling for a data transfer link management packet based on the number of received TLPs, actual TLP sizes, and receive buffer status,
- wherein the evaluate forward-looker analyzes an upcoming TLP stream to locate an existing gap between TLPs at a position in the TLP stream which corresponds to a range of possible transmission times for the data transfer link management packet;
- and
- an inserter operable to examine a data packet stream to determine whether a gap therein occurs during the transmission window, and if such said gap does occur to control insertion of a management packet thereinto.
A port operable for a PCI Express link, comprising:
- scheduler means for determining a next management packet transmission time;
- windower means for determining a transmission window based upon the next management packet transmission time;
- an evaluative forward-looking means to determine an optimum scheduling for a data transfer link management packet based on the number of received TLPs, actual TLP sizes, and receive buffer status,
- wherein the evaluative forward-looking means analyzes an upcoming TLP stream to locate an existing gap between TLPs at a position in the TLP stream which corresponds to a range of possible transmission times for the data transfer link management packet;
- and
- inserter means for examining a data packet stream to determine whether a gap therein occurs during the transmission window, and
- if such said gap does occur for controlling insertion of a management packet thereinto.
A method for controlling insertion of link management packets into a data packet stream for a PCI Express port, the method comprising:
- determining a next management packet transmission time;
- determining a transmission window based upon the determined next management packet transmission time;
- examining a data packet stream for gaps therein during the determined transmission window;
- using evaluative forward-looking to determine an optimum scheduling for a data transfer link management packet based on the number of received TLPs, actual TLP sizes, and receive buffer status,
- wherein using evaluative forward-looking comprises analyzing an upcoming TLP stream to locate an existing gap between TLPs at a position in the TLP stream which corresponds to a range of possible transmission times for the data transfer link management packet;
- and
- inserting a management packet into such a gap, if said gap is identified.
A computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for controlling insertion of link management packets into a data packet stream for a PCI Express port, the method comprising:
- determining a next management packet transmission time;
- determining a transmission window based upon the determined next management packet transmission time;
- examining a data packet stream for gaps therein during the determined transmission window;
- using evaluative forward-looking to determine an optimum scheduling for a data transfer link management packet based on the number of received TLPs, actual TLP sizes, and receive buffer status,
- wherein using evaluative forward-looking comprises analyzing an upcoming TLP stream to locate an existing gap between TLPs at a position in the TLP stream which corresponds to a range of possible transmission times for the data transfer link management packet;
- and
- inserting a management packet into such a gap, if said gap is identified.
An integrated circuit for controlling insertion of link management packets into a data packet stream for a PCI Express port, the integrated circuit comprising:
- scheduling circuitry for determining a next management packet transmission time;
- window circuitry for determining a transmission window based upon the determined next management packet transmission time;
- examination circuitry for examining a data packet stream to identify a gap therein during the determined transmission window;
- evaluative forward-looking circuitry for determining an optimum scheduling for a data transfer link management packet based on the number of received TLPs, actual TLP sizes, and receive buffer status,
- wherein the evaluate forward-looking circuitry analyzes an upcoming TLP stream to locate an existing gap between TLPs at a position in the TLP stream which corresponds to a range of possible transmission times for the data transfer link management packet;
- and
- insertion circuitry for inserting a management packet into such said gap, if said gap is identified.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.