Patent ID: 7027443

Claim:
A method of reordering packet fragments, said packet fragments being derived from a packet which has been divided Into at least two fragments, each of said at least two fragments having a sequence number denoting a position in a proper sequence for correct ordering of each fragment for a reassembly of said packet, each fragment being represented by a head pointer, the method comprising: a) receiving a received head pointer for a received fragment; b) determining a sequence number for said received fragment; c) determining a first slot position for said received head pointer in a first tier pointer array, said first slot position being determined by the sequence number for said received fragment, said first slot position having a tier pointer pointing to a second tier pointer array; d) determining a second slot position for said received head pointer in the second tier pointer array, said second slot position being determined by the sequence number for said received fragments; e) placing said head pointer in said second slot position; and f) repeating steps a)–e) until a sequence of received head pointers stored in said second tier array indicates a complete sequence, wherein a complete sequence is a sequence of head pointers that does not have a gap and includes a fragment that is an end fragment for said packet.