Patent ID: 9166919
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for a switch that receives packets in a packet-switching network, the method comprising: setting an upper (XOFF_MAX) threshold for a buffer that shares headroom between a plurality of ports in the switch, the XOFF_MAX threshold indicating a buffer usage that always triggers a transmission of a flow-control (XOFF) message; setting a lower (XOFF_MIN) threshold for the buffer, the XOFF_MIN threshold indicating a buffer usage that never triggers the transmission of the XOFF message; determining a random (XRAND) value for each port and priority of the switch, each XRAND value being between the XOFF_MAX threshold and the XOFF_MIN threshold; monitoring usage of the buffer to determine whether the buffer usage exceeds the XRAND value of a particular port; transmitting the XOFF message to a data source that sends packets to the particular port when the buffer usage exceeds the XRAND value of the particular port; and when the XOFF message is transmitted, wait a predetermined period of time before determining a new XRAND value for the particular port, wherein the XOFF message instructs the data source to pause transmission of the data packets to the switch.