Patent ID: 6243785
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A system for programmably controlling hardware generation of interrupts by a network interface card to minimize central processing unit (CPU) utilization and to provide consistent generation of an interrupt signal by said network interface card, said system comprising:a host computer, said host computer adapted to operate a network interface card driver;a hardware timer, said hardware time adapted to be programmably controlled by a said network interface card driver; anda network interface card adapted to be removably coupled to said host computer, said network interface card having said hardware timer coupled thereto, said hardware timer adapted to cause the generation of said interrupt signal upon the expiration of a time cycle of said hardware timer such that CPU utilization caused by said interrupt signal is optimally minimized and such that said interrupt signal is generated by said network interface card on a consistent periodic basis defined by a duration of a time cycle of said hardware timer, said interrupt signal not being generated upon the occurrence of a quantity of interrupt events.