Packet shaping in a network processor
First Claim
1. A circuit for managing transmittal of packets, the circuit comprising:
- a packet descriptor manager (PDM) circuit module configured to generate a metapacket from a command signal, the metapacket indicating a size and a destination of a packet to be transmitted by the circuit, the metapacket including an entry stating the size of the packet;
a packet scheduling engine (PSE) circuit module configured to compare a packet transmission rate associated with the packet against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the packet, the PSE determining an order in which to transmit the packet among a plurality of packets based on the comparison; and
a packet engines and buffering (PEB) circuit module configured to process the packet and cause a processed packet to be transmitted toward the destination according to the order determined by the PSE;
wherein the PSE is further configured to compare, for a plurality of nodes in a path between the circuit and the destination, a packet transmission rate associated with the node against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the node, the PSE determining the order based on the comparisons.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit operates to manage transmittal of packets in a network packet processor. The circuit includes a packet descriptor manager (PDM), a packet scheduling engine (PSE), and a packet engines and buffering module (PEB). The PDM generates a metapacket and a descriptor from a command signal, where the command signal identifies a packet to be transmitted by the circuit. The PSE compares a packet transmission rate associated with the packet against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the packet, and determines an order in which to transmit the packet among a number of packets based on the comparison. Once the packet is scheduled for transmission, the PEB performs processing operations on the packet to produce a processed packet based on instructions indicated in the descriptor. The PEB then causes the processed packet to be transmitted toward the destination.
16 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A circuit for managing transmittal of packets, the circuit comprising:
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a packet descriptor manager (PDM) circuit module configured to generate a metapacket from a command signal, the metapacket indicating a size and a destination of a packet to be transmitted by the circuit, the metapacket including an entry stating the size of the packet; a packet scheduling engine (PSE) circuit module configured to compare a packet transmission rate associated with the packet against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the packet, the PSE determining an order in which to transmit the packet among a plurality of packets based on the comparison; and a packet engines and buffering (PEB) circuit module configured to process the packet and cause a processed packet to be transmitted toward the destination according to the order determined by the PSE; wherein the PSE is further configured to compare, for a plurality of nodes in a path between the circuit and the destination, a packet transmission rate associated with the node against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the node, the PSE determining the order based on the comparisons. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of managing transmittal of packets, the method comprising:
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receiving a command signal identifying a packet to be processed and transmitted; generating a metapacket from the command signal, the metapacket including an indication of a size of the packet and a destination of the packet, the metapacket including an entry stating the size of the packet; comparing, at a packet scheduling engine (PSE) circuit module, a packet transmission rate associated with the packet against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the packet; comparing, for a plurality of nodes in a path between the circuit and the destination, a packet transmission rate associated with the node against at least one of a peak rate and a committed rate associated with the node, determining an order in which to transmit the packet among a plurality of packets based on the comparisons; processing operations on the packet to produce a processed packet; and causing the processed packet to be transmitted toward the destination according to the order. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification