Patent ID: 7570653
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for allocating buffer space in a network device, the method comprising: using a plurality of buffers in the network device to re-order out-of-order segments in data flows through the network device; determining a prediction of a consumption of space in the plurality of buffers for a particular flow, wherein the particular flow comprises out-of-order segments; obtaining a value for an amount of allocable system memory space in the plurality of buffers; deriving an allocation of space in the plurality of buffers for the particular flow to allow for re-ordering of out-of-order segments in the particular flow by using the prediction and the value, wherein the allocation is in inverse proportion to the prediction and in direct proportion to the value; changing a drop probability for the particular flow when a predetermined flow operation is encountered, wherein the allocation of space in the plurality of buffers to allow for re-ordering of out-of-order segments in the particular flow is configured to be adjusted using the changed drop probability; hashing a flow identifier for the particular flow to obtain a parameter; using the obtained parameter to determine a threshold; when the predetermined flow operation is an enqueue operation, increasing the drop probability for the particular flow when the determined threshold is greater than a comparison threshold, the drop probability being incremented by a scale factor multiplied by a number of active data flows divided by a number of available buffers from the plurality of buffers; and when the predetermined flow operation is a dequeue operation, decreasing the drop probability for the particular flow when the determined threshold is less than the comparison threshold.