Method and apparatus for transferring packets between interface control modules of line cards

摘要

An access system includes line cards. The line cards include first and second line cards. The first line card receives a first packet and includes a first interface control module that generates a first request signal to transfer the first packet. The first request signal includes an identifier of a second interface control module in the second line card. Crossbar modules are separate from the line cards and include first and second crossbar modules. The first crossbar module includes a first scheduler module. The second crossbar module transfers packets between a pair of the line cards. The packets include the first packet. The first scheduler module is separate from the line cards and, based on the first request signal, schedules the transfer of the packets from the first interface control module, through the second crossbar module, and to the second interface control module.

主权项

1. An access system comprising:
a plurality of line cards including a first line card and a second line card, wherein the first line card comprises
a physical layer module configured to receive a first packet, anda first interface control module configured to generate a first request signal to transfer the first packet, wherein the first request signal comprises an identifier of a second interface control module in the second line card; and a plurality of crossbar modules separate from the plurality of line cards, wherein the plurality of crossbar modules comprise a first crossbar module and a second crossbar module, wherein the first crossbar module comprises a first scheduler module, wherein the second crossbar module is configured to transfer a plurality of packets between a pair of the plurality of line cards, and wherein the plurality of packets includes the first packet, wherein the first scheduler module is separate from the plurality of line cards and the first scheduler module is configured to, based on the first request signal, schedule the transfer of the first packet or the plurality of packets from the first interface control module, through the second crossbar module, and to the second interface control module.