Patent ID: 6046979
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of controlling the flow of variable-length packets on data links connected to a multiport switch comprising steps of:receiving a packet that includes packet-specific header information at said multiport switch;accessing a memory that contains forwarding information, said forwarding information including bandwidth management information;searching said memory based on transmission control protocol, TCP, or user datagram protocol, UDP, information, and internet protocol, IP, or internet packet exchange, IPX, information found within said packet-specific header information of said packet;locating, in said memory, forwarding information that is related to said packet;extracting bandwidth management information from said forwarding information that is related to said packet, wherein said bandwidth management information includes a bandwidth consumption limit that is relevant to forwarding said packet;comparing said extracted bandwidth management information to said packet;forwarding said packet within said multiport switch when said comparison indicates that forwarding said packet will not exceed said bandwidth consumption limit; anddropping said packet from said multiport switch or tagging said packet with an adjusted priority before forwarding of said packet within said multiport switch when said comparison indicates that forwarding said packet will exceed said bandwidth consumption limit.