System for selectively and cumulatively grouping packets from different sessions upon the absence of exception condition and sending the packets after preselected time conditions

Claim 1

A data processing system for processing a plurality of related packets received at a logical unit within said data processing system, wherein packets from different sessions may be interpersed within said plurality of packets, said data processing system comprising: a host system, wherein said host system is connected to said logical unit; reception means for receiving said plurality of packets at said logical unit, wherein each of said plurality of packets includes a header containing a session identifier; examination means for examining said session identifier in each of said plurality of packets received at said logical unit to identify said session for each of said plurality of packets; grouping means for selectively and cumulatively grouping all packets within a first identified session received during a first preselected time period in a first group when there is no exception condition related to the packet resources shortage for the first identified session, and for selectively and cumulatively grouping all packets within a second identified session received during a second preselected time period in a second group when there is no exception condition related to the packet resources shortage for the second identified session, wherein said first group is associated with said first preselected time period and said second group is associated with said second preselected time period; processing means for processing said first group and said second group concurrently; flushing means for flushing said groups of packets to said host system upon detection of said exception condition; and transmitting means for transmitting said groups to said host system after each preselected period has completed and the absence of the exception condition.