Patent ID: 8169908
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: (A) transmitting a particular packet followed by a plurality of subsequent packets from an apparatus through a network to a receiver, wherein (i) the particular packet and the subsequent packets form a sequence of packets and (ii) the particular packet as transmitted is associated with a first identification; (B) receiving a negative acknowledgment at the apparatus from the receiver after the sequence of packets has been sent, wherein the negative acknowledgment is associated with a second identification, the second identification indicating that the particular packet was not accepted by the receiver; (C) comparing the first identification with the second identification in the apparatus; (D) incrementing with the apparatus a number of negative acknowledgments where the comparing indicates that the first identification matches the second identification; (E) if the number of negative acknowledgments exceeds a predefined threshold, re-transmitting the subsequent packets from the apparatus to the receiver without re-transmitting the particular packet; and (F) if the number of negative acknowledgments does not exceed the predefined threshold, re-transmitting the sequence of packets with the particular packet from the apparatus to the receiver, wherein the predefined threshold (i) is stored in the apparatus and (ii) has a value based on a priority of the particular packet.