Configuring of a shared memory buffer in a network device

Abstract

An optimization agent optimizes configuration parameters of a shared memory buffer for ports of a network device (e.g., router). The optimization agent located on the network device (or remotely) takes an input state from the network device's switching logic, such as the packets transmitted or dropped per port, and determines port buffer settings to optimize the settings to achieve a goal. The buffer settings can include minimum and maximum buffer limits per port and the goal can be to maximize port utilization or minimize port loss. The optimization agent can then take an action by applying the buffer configurations to the switching logic and repeat the process iteratively until the goal is reached.