Patent ID: 7024492
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A data server for use in networks where media are transmitted in packet form, where such media are chosen from the group consisting of packetized audio data, packetized video data, packetized control data, packetized information data, and combinations thereof, said data server comprising: at least a first card shelf containing cards installed thereon including a card having a bus controller function and a plurality of media processor cards, and a backplane; wherein said backplane includes a media bus group having a plurality of media buses therein; wherein said plurality of media buses are adapted to carry media data in packet form among said cards installed on said shelf under flow control; and wherein each media processor card on said shelf is assigned a specific address identity; there being at least one bidirectional port on each media processor card, from and to which packets of media data may be transmitted; wherein each bidirectional port on each media processor card has a unique identity on the respective media processor card; wherein, when any bidirectional port on any media processor card wishes to send a packet of media data to another bidirectional port on any media processor card, said bidirectional port issues a request to transmit that packet of data; wherein the request to transmit a packet of media data includes the identity of the intended receiving card, and the identity of the receiving bidirectional port on the intended receiving card; wherein each bidirectional port on each media processor card outputs flow control information as to whether that bidirectional port can or cannot accept packets of media data that are intended to be sent to that bidirectional port at any instant in time; wherein each media processor card outputs flow control information for each bus in said media bus group as to whether that card can or cannot accept packets of media data that are intended to be sent to that card over each respective bus at any instant in time; wherein said data server further includes a bus arbiter on said first card having said bus controller function, the purpose of said bus arbiter being to review the flow control status of each output position and each bidirectional port thereat, to review the flow control status of each bus in said media bus group, to process requests to transmit packets of data from each bidirectional port on each media processor card, and to grant requests to transmit packets of media data only for those packets of media data that are intended to be transmitted to destination addresses that are not flow controlled, where the grants are given only for transmission over buses that are not flow controlled; wherein all ports and all cards that have received grants to transmit packets of media data will place their specified packets of media data onto the respective granted buses, starting at the same instant in time; wherein each media processor card has a plurality of bidirectional ports thereon, from and to which packets of media data may be transmitted, and wherein each of said plurality of bidirectional ports has a unique identity; and wherein each bidirectional port on each media processor card has an urgent flag which said bidirectional port may set when necessary, and wherein when any packet of media data to be sent from any bidirectional port on any media card has a high priority, each respective bidirectional port on each respective card will set its urgent flag.