Method and apparatus for out-of-order processing of packets
US7349398B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/90
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for out-of-order processing of packets are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving packets in a global order, the packets being designated for different ones of a plurality of reorder contexts. The method also includes, for each of the plurality of reorder contexts, assigning reorder context sequence numbers indicating an order relative to the global order of the packets designated for that reorder context. The method also includes storing packet descriptors for each of the packets in a shared reorder buffer, and completing processing of at least certain of the packets out of the global order. The method also includes, for each of the plurality of reorder contexts, maintaining a first indication of the one of the sequence numbers assigned the one of the packets that is next to be retired for that reorder context. The method also includes retiring the packets from the shared reorder buffer, based on the sequence numbers, in order with respect to each of the plurality of reorder contexts, but out of the global order for at least certain of the packets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.