Patent ID: 8223650
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: receiving an express flow control unit from a source node of a packet-switched network via an express virtual channel; and forwarding the express flow control unit directly to an output link to send to a sink node based on a comparison of a starvation counter value and a starvation threshold value, wherein the starvation counter is to be updated each time a normal flow control unit, destined for the same output port as the express flow control unit, is buffered, wherein the express flow control unit is to bypass one or more intermediate router nodes along one or more pre-defined paths between pairs of nodes, without the express flow control unit being buffered or traversing through a router pipeline at each of the one or more intermediate router nodes and wherein the express flow control unit is to be given preference over other non-express flow control units in the packet-switched network based only on a determination that the express flow control unit is traveling on the express virtual channel.