Abstract: A system which includes a DMA (Direct Memory Access) interface and a MAC (Media Access Control) interface. A data FIFO and data burst information FIFO are disposed between the DMA interface and the MAC interface, and the system is configured to provide that information contained in the data burst information FIFO is used to discard unwanted data contained in the data FIFO, such that the unwanted data does not forward to the DMA interface. This facilitates fast and efficient data transfer, and avoids wasting (i.e. optimizes) DMA bandwidth. Additionally, this avoids or at least reduces the likelihood of FIFO overflow.

Abstract: A method for improving bandwidth utilization in a packet-switched network via real time control of pause frame transmissions. The invention provides a mechanism whereby a pause frame may be effectively negated if, during the transmission of the pause frame, the network conditions necessitating the pause frame are eliminated or abated. In one Ethernet-compliant embodiment of the invention, monitoring circuitry is provided in a network device to ascertain changes in flow control conditions. Following detection of a flow control condition (e.g., a transmit buffer overflow condition), a flow control unit in the network device initiates transmission of a pause frame. Typically, the initial pause time value will be set to a maximum value (e.g., “FFFF”). During or immediately prior to transmission of the pause frame, the monitoring circuitry functions to monitor the state of the flow control unit or flow control enablement signals to determine if the flow control condition remains in effect.