×

Programmed I/O ethernet adapter with early interrupts for accelerating data transfer

DC
  • US 5,872,920 A
  • Filed: 07/18/1995
  • Issued: 02/16/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of transferring a packet of data from a computer network communications media through an adapter to a host computer, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a. receiving from said communications media through a transceiver and storing in an adapter receive buffer a predetermined first receive threshold number of bytes of said packet;

    b. thereupon generating a first early receive interrupt from said adapter to said host computer;

    c. thereafter reading a first portion of a packet less than all of said packet and presenting said first portion to said host computer; and

    d. thereafter receiving from said communications media through said transceiver and storing in said adapter receive buffer a remainder of said packet, wherein said host computer employs a driver allowing for early indications and having an early lookahead size, and wherein said step of receiving a predetermined first receive threshold number of bytes comprises receiving a number of bytes substantially equal to said early lookahead size and wherein said early lookahead size number of bytes is read by said host computer'"'"'s CPU to determine further handling of said packet by analyzing said early indications.

View all claims
  • 6 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×