Method and apparatus in a packet switched network
US6671255B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/5635
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for the relative flow control of a data flow, and a switch in which the method may be applied, are described. A buffer unit that reaches a certain degree of fullness sends a message to all units from which it receives data that it cannot receive any more data or that it can only receive at a reduced rate. The message is forwarded by each unit that receives it, to each unit from which it receives data and comprises a level indicator field, which is incremented for each unit it passes. For each unit passed a field is also added, identifying the unit from which it was received. Each unit is denoted by its number among all units receiving packets from the level above it. The message may be valid either for a certain period of time or until a new message is transmitted indicating that the problems have ceased.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.