Abstract: A data communication system 10 is provided that allow for the efficient management of data communication sessions requested from a plurality of packet data servicing nodes (22-28) which are organized in a cluster 32, each member of the cluster 32 manages a cluster session table which contains data identifying mobile units 12 and packet data servicing nodes (22-28) which are servicing data sessions with the mobile unit 12. As a mobile unit 12 moves from one portion of the system 10 to another, a network element such as a base station controller 40 will request a data session from a packet data servicing node 28, the packet data servicing node 28 is then able to access the cluster session table to determine if the data session is already being served by another member of the cluster 32. If the data session is already in existence, the base station controller 40 will be directed to request a data session from the packet data servicing node 32 which is already servicing that session.

Abstract: A rate-based congestion control technique for internetworking devices having a plurality of input interface queues is disclosed. Rate-based polling comprises estimating the data arrival on each input interface queue while in a first sampling state, and separately, while in a second polling state, using the estimated data arrival rate on each input interface queue to determine both the sequence in which the input interface queues should be polled and the number of packets to be processed from each input interface queue. While in the polling state, data packet delay is averaged across the input interface queues so as to process the packets in their approximate arrival order irrespective of the input interface queue on which they arrive, thus enabling Quality of Service policies to be more effective. This is achieved by processing data from each input interface at a rate that is proportional to the data arrival rate at each input interface.

Abstract: A data communication system 10 is provided that allow for the efficient management of data communication sessions requested from a plurality of packet data servicing nodes (22–28) which are organized in a cluster 32, each member of the cluster 32 manages a cluster session table which contains data identifying mobile units 12 and packet data servicing nodes (22–28) which are servicing data sessions with the mobile unit 12. As a mobile unit 12 moves from one portion of the system 10 to another, a network element such as a base station controller 40 will request a data session from a packet data servicing node 28, the packet data servicing node 28 is then able to access the cluster session table to determine if the data session is already being served by another member of the cluster 32. If the data session is already in existence, the base station controller 40 will be directed to request a data session from the packet data servicing node 32 which is already servicing that session.

Abstract: The congestion control in a networking device having a plurality of input interface queues includes (a) estimating the data arrival rate on each of the plurality of input interface queues, and (b) determining, for each polling round, the sequence in which the plurality of input interface queues should be polled and the quantity of data to be processed from each of the plurality of input interface queues each time the input interface queue is polled, using the estimated data arrival rate on each of the plurality of input interface queues.

Abstract: A method includes a step of (A) determining which of multiple network interfaces indicates readiness to transmit a data element to a network and which of the multiple network interfaces indicates receipt of a data element from the network. The method further includes a step of (B) running, for each network interface indicating readiness to transmit a data element to the network, a transmit interrupt handler to load that network interface with a data element for transmission if such a data element is available for transmission within the data communications device, in response to giving higher priority to handling transmit interrupts relative to handling receive interrupts. The method further includes a step of (C) after step B, running, for at least one network interface which indicates receipt of a data element from the network, a receive interrupt handler to process that data element.

Abstract: A global path identifier is assigned to each explicit route through a data communication network. The global path identifier is inserted into each packet as the packet enters a network and is used in selecting the next hop. When encountering a new selected path, an ingress router sends an explicit object to downstream nodes of the path to set up explicit routes by caching the next hop in an Explicit Forwarding Information Base (“EFIB”) table. Ingress routers maintain an Explicit Route Table (“ERT”) that tracks the global path identifier associated with each flow through the network. Multiple flows using the same path can be implemented by sharing the same global path identifier. In case of sudden network load changes, rerouting can be performed by changing the global path identifier associated with those flows that need to be rerouted and by then transmitting a new path object to downstream nodes.

Abstract: A resource manager 20 receives and compiles data from a plurality of base transceiver station 14 to enable an admission control decision before beginning a communication session with a mobile unit 12. The historic usage patterns of the mobile unit 12 and the historic and present bandwidth availability for cells likely to be impacted are taken into account to make the admission control decision.

Abstract: A startup management system and method, particularly adapted for use in computer and other communication networks, is presented. Rate-based flow and congestion control mechanisms have been considered desirable, including to deal with the needs of emerging multimedia applications. Explicit rate control mechanisms achieve low loss because of a smooth flow of data from sources, while adjusting source rates through feedback. However, large feedback delays, presence of higher priority traffic and varying network conditions make it difficult to ensure feasibility (i.e., the aggregate arrival rate is below the bottleneck resource's capacity) while also maintaining very high resource utilization. The invention applies entry and early warning techniques which increase the initial connect rate of newly connecting sources.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for moving data elements within a data communications device which prioritizes handling transmit interrupts over handling receive interrupts. Preferably, while attending to transmit interrupts, the device gives priority to the “hungriest” interfaces. In one arrangement, the device includes multiple network interfaces which are capable of transmitting and receiving data elements with a network, and a controller, coupled to the interfaces.

Abstract: A startup management system and method, particularly adapted for use in computer and other communication networks, is presented. Rate-based flow and congestion control mechanisms have been considered desirable, including to deal with the needs of emerging multimedia applications. Explicit rate control mechanisms achieve low loss because of a smooth flow of data from sources, while adjusting source rates through feedback. However, large feedback delays, presence of higher priority traffic and varying network conditions make it difficult to ensure feasibility (i.e., the aggregate arrival rate is below the bottleneck resource's capacity) while also maintaining very high resource utilization. The invention applies entry and early warning techniques which increase the initial connect rate of newly connecting sources.

Abstract: A two-phase packet processing technique is provided for routing traffic in a packet-switched, integrated services network which supports a plurality of different service classes. During Phase I, packets are retrieved from the router input interface and classified in order to identify the associated priority level of each packet and/or to determine whether a particular packet is delay-sensitive. If it is determined that a particular packet is delay-sensitive, the packet is immediately and fully processed. If, however, it is determined that the packet is not delay-sensitive, full processing of the packet is deferred and the packet is stored in an intermediate data structure. During Phase II, packets stored within the intermediate data structure are retrieved and fully processes. The technique of the present invention significantly reduces packet processing latency, particularly with respect to high priority or delay-sensitive packets.

Abstract: A technique routes packets in a data communications device having multiple output ports. The technique involves obtaining, from a network, data having an associated quality of service (QoS). The technique additionally involves choosing one of the multiple output ports of the data communications device based on the associated QoS of the data, a pre-established policy, and network efficiency information for the multiple output ports. The technique further involves transmitting the data to the network through the chosen one of the multiple output ports.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the technique dynamically adjusts resource allocations for each traffic class based on actual traffic load measured for each service class. In this way, the per-hop-behavior required by a differentiated service model may be achieved. Core nodes of a network operating according to a differentiated service model dynamically adjust resource allocations for multiple traffic classes without requiring explicit signaling from other network nodes. Policies for sharing resources among multiple service classes can be enforced.

Abstract: The invention provides unique mechanisms and techniques for a computing device to perform various tasks in a multi-tasking or time sliced environment. A general task scheduling algorithm can select various time slices or priorities for task performance. However, in a dedicated device such as a data communications device, a primary task such as a data transfer task may be so heavily favored by the general task scheduling algorithm, such as in heavy network traffic conditions, that other tasks may be starved of processor time. As such, the system of the invention allows the primary task, to track a first time period Y, and upon expiration of this time period Y, to generate a yield signal to a yielding scheduler. The yielding scheduler can then disable performance of the primary task(s) and track a second time period X during which other tasks may be performed.

Abstract: A technique is provided for implementing a high performance stable storage system which provides stable and fast storage services to applications built on top of one or more operating system (OS) kernels in a computer network. The stable storage hierarchy comprises at least two levels of stable storage. The first level of stable storage is provided by one or more byte-addressable stable memory regions (SMRs) which may reside within the main memory of the computer network. Each stable memory region (SMR) provides a data structure for storage of essential or key data related to one or more client processes. The SMR is configured to provide an access interface which supports atomic access to its data structure. The SMR is also configured to be resilient to application failures. Further the SMR is configured to support concurrent access of its data by multiple clients. Additionally, the SMR is configured to support incremental updating of data within its data structure using pointer-based data transfer technique.

Abstract: A technique is provided for routing traffic in an integrated services network which supports a plurality of different service classes including a relative low priority class (e.g. best-effort) and a relative high priority class (e.g. guaranteed sessions). The technique of the present invention improves inter-class resource sharing efficiency and achieves high network throughput of each class of service in the network. The technique discourages guaranteed (high priority) traffic from using links that are already loaded with best-effort (low priority) traffic. This is achieved by using, in the link cost for high priority traffic, a concept of “virtual residual bandwidth”, derived from the link residual bandwidth by taking into account of the congestion condition of low priority traffic. The proposed mechanism is simple in the sense that no changes are needed to the path selection algorithms employed for individual service classes the only change is in the link cost.

Abstract: A startup management system and method, particularly adapted for use in computer and other communication networks, is presented. Rate-based flow and congestion control mechanisms have been considered desirable, including to deal with the needs of emerging multimedia applications. Explicit rate control mechanisms achieve low loss because of a smooth flow of data from sources, while adjusting source rates through feedback. However, large feedback delays, presence of higher priority traffic and varying network conditions make it difficult to ensure feasibility (i.e., the aggregate arrival rate is below the bottleneck resource's capacity) while also maintaining very high resource utilization. The invention applies entry and early warning techniques which increase the initial connect rate of newly connecting sources.

Abstract: A startup management system and method, particularly adapted for use in computer and other communication networks, is presented. Rate-based flow and congestion control mechanisms have been considered desirable, including to deal with the needs of emerging multimedia applications. Explicit rate control mechanisms achieve low loss because of a smooth flow of data from sources, while adjusting source rates through feedback. However, large feedback delays, presence of higher priority traffic and varying network conditions make it difficult to ensure feasibility (i.e., the aggregate arrival rate is below the bottleneck resource's capacity) while also maintaining very high resource utilization. The invention applies entry and early warning techniques which increase the initial connect rate of newly connecting sources.