Method and apparatus for overflowing data packets to a software-controlled memory when they do not fit into a hardware-controlled memory
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for managing packets incoming to a data router comprising:
- a local packet memory (LPM) configured to store packets for processing;
an external packet memory (EPM) for storing overflow data which is not storable by said LPM;
a first storage system coupled to the LPM and to a second storage system;
wherein the first storage system is configured to;
determine whether said packets can be stored in the LPM;
if a given packet is determined not to be storable within the LPM;
relinquish packet management to the second storage system;
set a first lock; and
set a second lock corresponding to an originating device of the given packet; and
wherein the second storage system is configured to;
receive an indication from the first storage system that the given packet is not storable in the LPM;
in response to receiving the indication, manage the given packet; and
wherein setting the first lock causes the system to buffer additional incoming packets until the system completes a first action in response to the determination that the given packet is not storable within the LPM and wherein setting the second lock causes the system to prevent packet overflow from initiating for subsequent packets from the same originating device before receiving an acknowledgement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing packets incoming to a data router has a local packet memory (LPM) mapped into pre-configured memory units, to store packets for processing, an external packet memory (EPM), a first storage system to store packets in the LPM, and a second storage system to store packets in the EPM. The system is characterized in that the first storage system attempts to store all incoming packets in the LPM, and for those packets that are not compatible with the LPM, relinquishes control to the second system, which stores the LPM-incompatible packets in the EPM.
161 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for managing packets incoming to a data router comprising:
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a local packet memory (LPM) configured to store packets for processing; an external packet memory (EPM) for storing overflow data which is not storable by said LPM; a first storage system coupled to the LPM and to a second storage system; wherein the first storage system is configured to; determine whether said packets can be stored in the LPM; if a given packet is determined not to be storable within the LPM; relinquish packet management to the second storage system; set a first lock; and set a second lock corresponding to an originating device of the given packet; and wherein the second storage system is configured to; receive an indication from the first storage system that the given packet is not storable in the LPM; in response to receiving the indication, manage the given packet; and wherein setting the first lock causes the system to buffer additional incoming packets until the system completes a first action in response to the determination that the given packet is not storable within the LPM and wherein setting the second lock causes the system to prevent packet overflow from initiating for subsequent packets from the same originating device before receiving an acknowledgement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data packet router comprising:
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external ports to receive and send data packets from and to neighboring connected routers; a system coupled to the external ports and configured to manage packets incoming to the data packet router, the system comprising; a local packet memory (LPM) configured to store packets for processing; an external packet memory (EPM) for storing overflow data which is not storable by said LPM; a first storage system coupled to the LPM and to a second storage system; wherein the first storage system is configured to; determine whether said packets can be stored in the LPM; if a given packet is determined not to be storable within the LPM; relinquish packet management to the second storage system; and set a lock; and wherein the second storage system is configured to; receive an indication from the first storage system that the given packet is not storable in the LPM; in response to receiving the indication, manage the given packet; and wherein setting the lock causes the system to buffer additional incoming packets until the system completes a first action in response to the determination that the given packet is not storable within the LPM. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for managing packets incoming to a data router, the method comprising:
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storing incoming packets for processing in a local packet memory (LPM); determining whether a given packet can be stored in the LPM by a first storage system; if the given packet is determined not to be storable within the LPM; sending an indication to a second storage system; and setting a first lock; and setting a second lock corresponding to an originating device of the given packet; and the second storage system; receiving the indication that the given packet is not storable in the LPM; in response to receiving the indication, managing the given packet; wherein setting the first lock causes the system to buffer additional incoming packets until the system completes a first action in response to the determination that the given packet is not storable within the LPM and wherein setting the second lock causes the system to prevent packet overflow from initiating for subsequent packets from the same originating device before receiving an acknowledgement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification