Patent ID: 6725270
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A network switch connected in a computer network comprising:a plurality of ports configured for transferring data packets over the computer network; and at least some of the plurality of ports including: a retry counter incrementing a retry count of the number of occurrences that a respective port attempts and fails to transfer a data packet from the respective port over the computer network, the retry count having a retry limit value corresponding to a maximum number of times the respective port is allowed to attempt transfer of an individual data packet, control logic for discarding the individual data packet in response to the retry count in the retry counter reaching the retry limit value, a retry counter reset for resetting the retry count of the retry counter to a start value in response to assertion of backpressure by the respective port onto the computer network, and programmable retry limit modification logic for selectively modifying the retry limit value based on predetermined programmed information after assertion of backpressure by the respective port.