Patent ID: 7551558
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A data switch for passing packets as sets of one or more packet flows between a plurality of ports, the data switch comprising: a flow detection device configured to detect a set of one or more packet flows to which each packet belongs; and a bandwidth monitoring device having a RAM memory with a section corresponding to each set of one or more packet flows, the memory sections each containing a bandwidth counter for the corresponding set of one or more packet flows, the bandwidth monitoring device being configured to: subtract the size of the packet from a value of the bandwidth counter corresponding to the detected set of one more packet flows to obtain an adjusted value; issue a policing instruction if the adjusted value is equal to or lower than a first predetermined level corresponding to a first set of one or more flows and a second predetermined level, different from the first predetermined level, corresponding to a second set of one or more flows; replace the value of the bandwidth counter corresponding to the detected set of one more packet flows by the adjusted value in the event that the packet is transmitted by the switch; and replenish each bandwidth counter with a predetermined value at a regular intervals; wherein the RAM memory includes control parameter indication portions for each of the sets of one or more flows, the control parameter indication portions indicating respective registers for storing the data representative of the one or more predetermined levels.