Multi-port communication network device including common buffer memory with threshold control of port packet counters
US5987507A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/5682
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network device for use in a data communication network comprises: a multiplicity of ports capable of receiving input data; a common buffer memory for storing in respective buffers data received by the input ports; and processing system for controlling the writing of data into buffers and the reading of data from said buffers. The processing system determines whether the extent of occupation of the common buffer memory exceeds a threshold defined to represent congestion of the memory. Counter system enabled by the processing system on detection of the aforementioned threshold count units of input data through the respective ports, the processing system decrementing these counters as data is read out from the common buffer memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.