Prioritization and preemption of data frames over a switching fabric

摘要

Network switching and/or routing devices can use multiple priority data streams and queues to support prioritized serial transmission of data from line cards (or the like) through a fabric switch to other line cards (or the like). Preemption logic is used to insert within a data stream commands indicating a switch from one priority level data to another. Delimiter commands and combination switch/delimiter commands can also be used. Multiple crossbars are implemented in the fabric switch to support the various data stream priority levels.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a first data stream, wherein
the first data stream comprises data having a first priority level; receiving a second data stream, wherein
the second data stream comprises data having a second priority level; and generating a combined data stream, wherein
the generating is based on the first data stream and on the second data stream, andthe combined data stream comprises
portions of the first data stream,portions of the second data stream,one or more first delimiters, andone or more second delimiters, whereineach of the one or more first delimiters comprises a first switch code,
whereinthe first switch code indicates a change in priority from the first priority level to the second priority level,each of the one or more second delimiters comprises a second switch code, wherein
the second switch code indicates a change in priority from the second priority level to the first priority level, andthe portions of the first data stream and the portions of the second data stream are separated using the one or more first delimiters and the one or more second delimiters.