Patent ID: 6249819
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method for implementing permission based flow control in a computer network having at least first, second and third network devices, where the first network device is downstream relative to the second network device and the third network device is upstream relative to the second network device, and wherein the second network device receives data units from and provides permission credits to the third network device and transmits data units to the first network device and receives permission credits from the first network device, comprising the steps of:receiving permission credits at the second network device from the first network device; andgranting permission credits from the second network device to the third network device based at least in part upon the credits received at the second network device from the first network device, and wherein, at least at some times, the credits granted from the second network device to the third network device are greater than the credits received at the second network device from the first network device, and wherein, at least at some other times, the credits granted from the second network device to the third network device are no greater than the credits received at the second network device from the first network device.