Patent ID: 6370116
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of enforcing rate parameters respecting variable length data packets at an access point in a packet switching network wherein a committed information rate (CIR) is assigned to data packets having a committed delivery status and an excess information rate (EIR) is assigned to data packets having a rate in excess of CIR, the network having configured rate limits for CIR and EIR, the method comprising: examining each data packet at said access point, and determining whether said data packet has been assigned a CIR or EIR delivery status; and accepting each data packet having a CIR delivery status if there is room within said CIR rate limit for at least a portion of said data packet, otherwise marking said packet discard eligible and determining whether there is room within said EIR rate limit for at least a portion of said data packet and if room exists accept said packet, otherwise discard.