Segmentation of network packets for a switch fabric

摘要

A network packet is segmented for transfer through a switch fabric. The last segment of the packet is allowed to exceed the maximum size of previous segments so as to increase the switch fabric utilization. Other features are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of processing network packets, the method comprising:
receiving a packet on a port of a network switching device; segmenting the packet into one or more first segments each having a first segment size and a second segment having a second segment size at least when a length of the packet is greater than the second segment size, wherein the segmenting operation allows the second segment size to exceed the first segment size by up to an overflow amount when doing so will allow the second segment to be a last segment in the packet; outputting the first segment to a switch fabric during a first epoch; and outputting the second segment to the switch fabric during a second epoch different from the first epoch.