Patent US6529478B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6529478B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pass/drop apparatus and method for network switching node
Assignee: Parity Networks LLC
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Filing: 1998-11-24
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2018-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A switching node for transferring packets, each including a destination address, in a network includes a plurality of input port modules, a plurality of output port modules and a switching fabric, including a packet meta-data processor and a packet switch. Each input port module is connected to a communication link for receiving packets thereover, and each output port module is connected to a communication link for transmitting packets thereover. Each input port module, upon receiving a packet, buffers the packet and generates a meta-data packet therefor identifying the output port module that is to transmit the packet and packet identifier information, and provides it to the packet meta-data processor. The packet meta-data processor receives the meta-data packets generated by all of the input port modules and operational status information from all of the output port modules and for each output port module, processes the meta-data packets received from all of the input port modules in connection with the operational status information to determine whether the packet should be passed or dropped. If the packet meta-data processor determines that a packet associated with a meta-data packet is to be dropped, it will notify the input port module in which the packet is buffered, which, in turn, will discard the packet. On the other hand if the packet meta-data processor determines that the packet associated with the meta-data packet is not to be dropped, it will enqueue the meta-data packet for the associated output port module. Each output port module retrieves meta-data packets from its respective meta-data packet queue maintained therefor by the packet meta-data processor. For each meta-data packet retrieved by an output port module, the output port module will request that the input port module identified in the meta-data packet transfer the packet identified in the input port module thereto through the packet switch. When the output port module receives the packet, it will transmit it over the communication link connected thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Schwartz
- 👤 James D. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/15; H04L49/1515; H04L49/153; H04L49/1538; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L47/00; H04L47/10; H04L47/30; H04L47/32; H04L49/10; H04L49/104; H04L49/105; H04L49/108; H04L49/111; H04L49/113; H04L49/118; H04L49/25; H04L49/253; H04L49/254; H04L49/255; H04L49/30; H04L49/3081; H04L49/309; H04L49/60; H04L49/606; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5678; H04L2012/5679; H04L2012/5681; H04L47/43; H04L49/1523; H04L49/3009; H04L49/50; H04L49/602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of controlling the transfer of data from an input module to an output module on a network, said method comprising: providing a control module for controlling communication between the input module and the output module; receiving a packet of data at the input module, the input module generating a meta-data packet in response to the packet of data, the meta-data packet including information identifying the output module to which the packet of data is to be transferred, the input module transferring the meta-data packet to the control module; and at the control module,(i) receiving the meta-data packet from the input module, (ii) receiving from the identified output module a first item of information which indicates whether or not the packet of data will be dropped if sent, and (iii) based on the first item of information, if the packet of data is to be dropped, notifying the input module to drop the packet of data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of controlling the transfer of data from an input module to an output module on a network, said method comprising: providing a control module for controlling communication between the input module and the output module; receiving a packet of data at the input module, the input module generating a meta-data packet in response to the packet of data, the meta-data packet including information identifying the output module to which the packet of data is to be transferred, the input module transferring the meta-data packet to the control module; and at the control module,(i) receiving the meta-data packet from the input module, (ii) receiving from the identified output module a first item of information which indicates whether or not the packet of data will be dropped if sent, and (iii) based on the first item of information, if the packet of data is to be dropped, notifying the input module to drop the packet of data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling the input port module to the output port module through a switching module such that packets of data are transferred from the input port module to the output port module over the switching module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first item of information indicates congestion of data at the identified output port module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first item of information indicates availability of the identified output port module to receive packets of data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the packet of data in at least one buffer associated with the input port module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising, in response to “transferring a second item of information from the control module to the input module, said second item of information indicating that the packet of data will not be transferred to the identified output module”; transferring from the control module to the input port module a command for the input port module to clear the at least one buffer that stores the packet of data without transferring the packet of data to the identified output port module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising, in response to “transferring a second item of information from the control module to the input module, said second item of information indicating that the packet of data will not be transferred to the identified output module”; transferring from the control module to the input port module a command for the input port module to reallocate the at least one buffer that stores the packet of data without transferring the packet of data to the identified output port module.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for transferring data on a network, said apparatus comprising: an input module for receiving packets of data from the network; an output module for receiving packets of data from the input module and transferring packets of data onto the network; and a control module for controlling communication between the input module and the output module; wherein: the input module is adapted to (i) generate the meta-data packet in response to a received packet of data, the meta-data packet including information identifying the output module to which the packet of data is to be transferred, and (ii) transfer the meta-data packet to the control module; and the control module is adapted to (i) receive the meta-data packet from the input module, (ii) receive from the identified output module a first item of information which indicates whether or not the packet of data will be dropped if sent, and (iii) based on the first item of information, if the packet of data is to be dropped, notifying the input module to drop the packet of data.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for transferring data on a network, said apparatus comprising: an input module for receiving packets of data from the network; an output module for receiving packets of data from the input module and transferring packets of data onto the network; and a control module for controlling communication between the input module and the output module; wherein: the input module is adapted to (i) generate the meta-data packet in response to a received packet of data, the meta-data packet including information identifying the output module to which the packet of data is to be transferred, and (ii) transfer the meta-data packet to the control module; and the control module is adapted to (i) receive the meta-data packet from the input module, (ii) receive from the identified output module a first item of information which indicates whether or not the packet of data will be dropped if sent, and (iii) based on the first item of information, if the packet of data is to be dropped, notifying the input module to drop the packet of data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a switching module over which packets of data are transferred from the input port module to the output port module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first item of information indicates congestion of data at the identified output port module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first item of information indicates availability of the identified output port module to receive packets of data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the input port module is associated with at least one buffer for storing the received packet of data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control module transfers to the input port module, in response to “transferring a second item of information from the control module to the input module, said second item of information indicating that the packet of data will not be transferred to the identified output module”; a command for the input port module to clear the at least one buffer that stores the received packet of data without transferring the packet of data to the identified output port module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control module transfers from the control module to the input port module, in response to “transferring a second item of information from the control module to the input module, said second item of information indicating that the packet of data will not be transferred to the identified output module”; a command for the input port module to reallocate the at least one buffer that stores the received packet of data without transferring the packet of data to the identified output port module.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |