Method and apparatus for controlling data messages across a fast packet network
US6426944B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/16
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A high-speed packet data network more efficiently controls data flow through the network using forward and/or backward explicit congestion notification messages (FECN and BECN) to throttle data transmission between network elements. The network includes a router for initiating a data flow control comprised of a receiving protocol stack, a controller and an operating system. The router controller is programmed to respond to receipt of a congestion message (BECN) from a fast packet network such as a frame relay or cell relay network to generate a pass through packet message requesting the opening of a virtual data flow control channel between layer N and layer N+2, where typically layer N is layer 2 of a frame relay protocol and layer N+2 is layer 4 of a TCP protocol. Layer 4 may refuse to open the channel, but once a channel is opened, data flow control may be initiated between destination intelligent terminals when congestion is sensed in the fast packet network. The router controller is also programmed to open a path to the data source and to signal to the data source that data presentation rates should be modulated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.