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Method and apparatus for overflowing data packets to a software-controlled memory when they do not fit into a hardware-controlled memory

  • US 20060036705A1
  • Filed: 09/25/2001
  • Published: 02/16/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2000
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for managing packets incoming to a data router comprising:

  • a local packet memory (LPM) mapped into pre-configured memory units, to store packets for processing, each of said pre-configured memory units being resizable by said system;

    an external packet memory (EPM) for storing overflow data which is not storable by said LPM;

    a first storage system coupled to said LPM, to determine the size of said packets to be stored in said LPM, and for determining whether said packets can be stored in said LPM; and

    a second storage system coupled to said first storage system, for receiving an indication from said first storage system when it cannot store said packets in said LPM, and for storing said packets in said EPM;

    wherein said first storage system attempts to store all said packets in said LPM, and for those packets that are not storable within said LPM, relinquishes control to said second system, which stores said packets in said EPM; and

    wherein said system evaluates the size of said pre-configured memory units based on the size of said packets, and resizes said memory units to minimize fragmentation.

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