Patent ID: 10032119

Abstract:
An ordering system receives release requests to release packets, where each packet has an associated sequence number, but the system only releases packets sequentially in accordance with the sequence numbers. The system includes a Ticket Order Release Command Dispatcher And Sequence Number Translator (TORCDSNT) and a plurality of Ticket Order Release Bitmap Blocks (TORBBs). The TORBBs are stored in one or more transactional memories. In response to receiving release requests, the TORCDSNT issues atomic ticket release commands to the transactional memory or memories, and uses the multiple TORBBs in a chained manner to implement a larger overall ticket release bitmap than could otherwise be supported by any one of the TORBBs individually. Special use of one flag bit position in each TORBB facilitates this chaining. In one example, the system is implemented in a network flow processor so that the TORBBs are maintained in transactional memories spread across the chip.