Patent ID: 6510138
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A network switch for routing data transmissions of varying size ranging up to a predetermined maximum size data transmission, between network stations, the network switch comprising:a plurality of input ports, each input port including an input buffer comprising memory units for receiving and storing OaLa transmissions from at least one of said network stations; a plurality of output ports, each for receiving and forwarding data transmissions to at least one of said network stations; and routing means for providing a route for conveying a longest-stored data transmission in the input buffer of any one of said input ports to one of said output ports selected by said routing means, said routing means providing said route following receipt of a routing request from that one of said input ports requesting the route when the selected output port is ready to receive said longest-stored data transmission, wherein each said input port removes and discards its longest-stored data transmission in its input buffer without forwarding it to one of said output ports when an amount of said input buffer memory not currently storing a received data transmission is below a threshold level sufficient to store a data transmission of the maximum size, before said routing means establishes a route to convey said longest-stored data transmission to one of said output ports, and wherein each said input port otherwise forwards its longest-stored data transmission from its input buffer to a selected one said output ports after said routing means establishes a route thereto.