Patent ID: 8917741
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of sorting data packets in a multi-path network having a plurality of ingress ports and a plurality of egress ports: a plurality of network links; and a plurality of network elements, each network element having at least first and second separately addressable buffers in communication with a network link and located in the network element concerned, and the network links interconnecting the network elements and connecting the ingress ports to the egress ports by way of the network elements, the method comprising, at each network element: sorting incoming data packets with respect to their respective egress port or ports; queuing such sorted incoming data packets, such that a first set of data packets having a first egress port of the multi-path network are queued in said first buffer of the network element concerned, and such that at least one other data packet having an egress port of the multi-path network different from the said first egress port of the multi-path network is queued separately in said second buffer of the network element concerned whereby said at least one other data packet is separated from any congestion associated with the first set of data packets.