Patent ID: 6865155
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A port interface device (PID) system within a switching fabric for transmitting data packets to and from a switch plane, comprising: a plurality of PIDs for transmitting and received packets of data; a PID logic unit for controlling the operation of the PIDs wherein each PID is coupled to transmit and receive data packets to and from memory buffers external to each PID within a switch fabric within the switch plane and coupled to an Ethernet plane to transmit and receive data packets to communication devices coupled to the Ethernet plane and further wherein the PID logic unit monitors the memory buffers to determine a congestion rating for each PID; and wherein each PID receives and stores a congestion rating for each of the PIDs coupled to transmit and receive data through the switch fabric and wherein each PID evaluates a congestion rating for a destination PID and determines whether to transmit or discard the data packet based upon the congestion rating for the destination PID.