Method and apparatus for improving the management of data packets
First Claim
1. An apparatus for improving the management of received data packets of a host system that comprises a plurality of data buffers and a plurality of descriptors that corresponds to a subset of the plurality of data buffers to manage the received data packets, the apparatus comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a data packet;
a first storage unit for storing the data packet from the receiver;
a counter for counting a number of descriptors in a first state to produce a count value;
a second storage unit for storing a threshold value;
a comparator for comparing the count value with the threshold value and producing a comparison signal; and
a masking circuit, for blocking an error signal which indicates the data packet is an error data packet until the count value reaches the threshold value;
wherein the apparatus issues a first event to the host system according to the comparison signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for improving the management of data packets received from a network comprises a receiver for receiving data packets, a first storage unit for storing data packets, a counter for storing a count value, a second storage unit for storing a threshold value, and a comparator for comparing the count value against the threshold value wherein when count value reaches the threshold value, the apparatus issues a first event. A method for improving the management of data packets received from a network comprises receiving a data packet from the network, transferring the data packet into at least one data buffer, monitoring the number of unavailable descriptors, comparing the number of unavailable descriptors with a threshold value, and triggering a first event when the count value reaches the threshold value.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for improving the management of received data packets of a host system that comprises a plurality of data buffers and a plurality of descriptors that corresponds to a subset of the plurality of data buffers to manage the received data packets, the apparatus comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a data packet; a first storage unit for storing the data packet from the receiver; a counter for counting a number of descriptors in a first state to produce a count value; a second storage unit for storing a threshold value; a comparator for comparing the count value with the threshold value and producing a comparison signal; and a masking circuit, for blocking an error signal which indicates the data packet is an error data packet until the count value reaches the threshold value; wherein the apparatus issues a first event to the host system according to the comparison signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for improving the management of received data packets of a host system that comprises a plurality of data buffers and a plurality of descriptors that corresponds to a subset of the data buffers to manage the received data packets, the method comprising:
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receiving a data packet; transferring the data packet into at least one of the data buffers; counting an amount of the descriptors in a first state; comparing the amount with a threshold value to generate a comparison signal; and generating a first event to the host system according to the comparison signal and based on whether a masking circuit is engaged, wherein generating the first event is performed to prevent all the descriptors from being in the first state, and wherein the masking circuit is engaged if the data packet is an error data packet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for improving the management of data packets received from a network by a host system that comprises a plurality of data buffers and that utilizes a plurality of descriptors that corresponds to a subset of the plurality of data buffers to manage the data packets received from the network, the method comprising:
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receiving a data packet from the network; transferring the data packet into at least one of the data buffers; counting a number of descriptors that will have their state changed when the data packet is transferred; calculating a count value according to the number of descriptors that will have had their state changed by the data packet being transferred; and comparing the count value with a threshold value, and triggering a first event to the host system when the count value reaches the threshold value and based on whether a masking circuit is engaged; wherein the first event notifies the host system to clear the data buffers corresponding to the descriptors, and wherein the masking circuit is engaged if the data packet is an error data packet.
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Specification