Patent ID: 7596086
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a switch/router that routes variable length data packets in a converged network environment, a method comprising: receiving a plurality of data packet flows, each received data packet flow of the plurality having respective customer-assigned service requirements, including definition of service, priority, delay, jitter and bandwidth characteristics; directing the received data packet flows to corresponding egress queues; allocating amounts of bandwidth to each data packet traffic flow of the plurality of data packet flows in accordance with the respective customer-assigned service requirements by: scheduling a departure order of the each of the plurality of data packet traffic flows from the switch/router to a common communication link based upon and adapted to the respective customer-assigned service requirements, by selecting, independently of bandwidth allocation, at least one of an order and a priority of data packet release from the egress queues to the common communication link, whereby the switch/router provides differentiated services for the plurality of data packet traffic flows, while simultaneously substantially filling a total data packet flow capacity utilization of the common communication link.