Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling data packets in a network processor are disclosed. Embodiments provide a network processor that comprises a best-effort scheduler with a minimal calendar structure for addressing schedule control blocks. In one embodiment, a three-entry calendar structure provides for weighted best effort scheduling. Each of a plurality different flows has an associated schedule control block. Schedule control blocks are stored as linked lists in a last-in-first-out buffer. Each calendar entry is associated with a different linked list by storing in the calendar entry the address of the first-out schedule control block in the linked list. Each schedule control block has a counter and is assigned a weight according to the bandwidth priority of the flow to which the corresponding packet belongs.

Abstract: The present invention is to disclose a scheduler which comprising a priority tagging module for receiving a plurality of information chucks, a plurality of output lines, and a WRR (weighted round robin) module. In this regards, each information chucks are tagged with a priority tag by said priority tagging module according to a priority classification scheme. In addition, the WRR module further comprises a bucket list, which has a plurality of buckets, and a control module. Each bucket stores a ticket, which comprises an identification representing one of the plurality of output lines and an associated weight value of the represented output line. Besides, the control module receives the tagged information chucks from the priority tagging module and schedules the tagged information chucks into the plurality of output lines according to a scheduling scheme based on said bucket list.