Patent ID: 7061909
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing a level of multicast traffic in a data switch for routing fixed-size data packets from input ports to output ports, said switch comprising a shared memory for temporarily storing a single copy of each said fixed-size data packet, said shared memory comprising buffers for storing said fixed-size data packets, said output ports each equipped with an output port queue, each said output port queue containing pointers to those of said shared memory buffers holding said data packets bound for said output port; said data switch being used together with a Switch Core Adaptation Layer (SCAL), said SCAL including a multicast input queue for holding incoming data traffic to be routed through said data switch and destined for more then one of said output ports, said data switch and said SCAL handing said incoming data traffic on the basis of a set of priority classes (P), said method comprising the steps of: setting a multicast threshold MCT(P) associated with said multicast input queue prior to receiving said incoming data traffic; counting a buffer count, said buffer count being a total number of said shared memory buffers currently holding a said data packet; counting, over all said output port queues, a pointer count, said pointer count being a total number of said pointers to said shared memory buffers; deriving from said buffer count and said pointer count a MultiCast index (MIC), a metric of said level of multicast traffic; and optionally updating said multicast threshold MCT(P) while receiving said incoming data traffic.