Variable packet-size backplanes for switching and routing systems
US8665719B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/608
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides switches and routers, preferably with fully-connected mesh fabrics, that transmit data through the switch fabric in variable-size data units. Variable-size data units allow switches and routers to provide throughputs close to hardware capabilities, eliminating the need for over-capacity hardware in the switch fabric and other components. Along with variably-size data units, preferred embodiments of this invention include scheduling methods that provide fair allocation of pre-determined bandwidths to different protocols, to different classes of service within protocols, and to different resources within the switch by use of certain weighted, fair scheduling methods. The switches and routers of this invention are particularly directed to multi-protocol, high-throughput communication applications, but may have wide applicability in systems generally where data packets are switched or routed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.