The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2006
Donald B. Grosser, Apex, NC (US);
Scott Hubbard, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Donald B. Grosser, Apex, NC (US);
Scott Hubbard, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Extreme Networks, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for rate-based distribution of layer 2 packets for in-line processing at a layer 2 packet forwarding device. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for distributing layer 2 packets for in-line processing at a transmission rate less than a received transmission rate. The method includes receiving an input stream of layer 2 packets at an input port of a layer 2 packet forwarding device. The input port has a first transmission capacity. The input stream of layer 2 packets is divided into at least two substreams of layer 2 packets of different transmission rates. The first substream of layer 2 packets is layer 2 redirected to a first set of output ports of a slower transmission capacity than the input port. The second substream of layer 2 packets is flooded to a second set of output ports, with a transmission capacity equal to the first set of output ports. The transmission rates of the first and second substreams of layer 2 packets are selected to optimize the load sharing among the first and second sets of output ports.