Method and apparatus for the channelization of cell or packet traffic over standard pc buses

Abstract

A computer system includes an end system, a bus, a communications interface and a bus controller. The bus is coupled to the end system. The communications interface is coupled to the bus and includes a physical layer, a receive buffer, and a channel control unit. The physical layer is adapted to receive an input signal and demodulate the input signal to generate a plurality of cells. The receive buffer is adapted to receive the cells. The channel control unit is adapted to identify cells in the receive buffer associated with the virtual circuits. The bus controller is coupled to the bus and is adapted transfer at least the cells associated with the virtual circuits over the bus to the end system. A method for reducing traffic on a bus coupling an end system to an interface is provided. A plurality of virtual circuits are maintained in the end system. An input signal is received. The input signal is demodulated to generate a plurality of cells. Cells associated with the virtual circuits are identified. At least the cells associated with the virtual circuits are transferred over the bus to the end system after the cells have been identified as being associated with the virtual circuits.