Patent ID: 6097734
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of reassembling cells of data received over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network by a host computer system, said method comprising the steps of:receiving a plurality or cells of data over said ATM network;identifying a subset of said plurality of cells that correspond to a protocol data unit;grouping a specified number of cells from said subset of cells into a transfer group, said specified number of cells being specified by a group size parameter, said group size parameter being greater than one cell and being less than the size of said protocol data unit;transferring said transfer group of cells via a direct memory access (DMA) transfer to a system memory of said host computer system, whereby said protocol data unit is reassembled in said system memory; andprogramming said group size parameter in order to optimize the reassembly of said protocol data unit;wherein said transfer group is stored in an adapter memory of said host computer system, and receiving an interrupt indicating that said adapter memory is low on memory, and said step of programming said group size parameter includes the sub-step of decreasing said group size parameter to remedy said low adapter memory.