Patent ID: 6859435

Claim:
In a network of nodes connected to each other via bidirectional links, each of said nodes having a buffer for storing packets prior to transmission toward an ultimate destination, a method to control congestion on each of said links, said method comprising the steps of: assigning a priority level λ p from amongst at least two possible priority levels, to packets stored in a sending node X l buffer for transmission downstream via a link l to a receiving node R l , said link l being a portion of the path from said sending node X l to said ultimate destination; transmitting upsteam, via said link l, a feedback value f l from said receiving node R l to said sending node X l , said feedback value f l being indicative of the ability of said receiving node R l to store said packet in said receiving node R l buffer; and transmitting downstream from said sending node X l to said receiving node R l , via said link l, only those packets stored in said sending node X l buffer whose priority level λ p equals or exceeds the feedback value f l .