Patent ID: 7035255
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network device having a plurality of ports for switching data packets between network ports of said plurality of ports, said network device comprising: a first switch having a first group of ports which are a subset of said plurality of ports and are numbered by a first numbering scheme, a first rate control logic for performing rate control functions related to switching data packets between said network ports, and a first local communications channel for transmitting messages between said first group of ports and said rate control logic, said first switch being configured to generate rate control messages based on data packet traffic to said first group of ports; a second switch having a second group of ports which are a subset of said plurality of ports and are numbered by a second numbering scheme different from said first numbering scheme, a second rate control logic for performing rate control functions related to switching data packets between said network ports, and a second local communications channel for transmitting messages between said second group of ports and second rate control logic, said second switch being configured to generate rate control messages based on data packet traffic to said second group of ports; a CPU coupled to said first switch and said second switch and configured to control said first switch and said second switch; and wherein a first link port of said first group of ports is coupled to a second link port of said second group of ports, and said first link port and said second link port are configured to relay said rate control messages to each other.