Packet aggregation and fragmentation at layer-2 over a managed network

摘要

A method and apparatus for receiving packets from a node within a first network in accordance with a first protocol. A descriptor associated with each received packet is read by a direct memory access (DMA) controller that stores the received packet. A value for a controllable parameter is selected to efficiently communicate the content of the received packet over a second network that operates in accordance with a second protocol. The information in the received packet is then organized into newly formed packets, the size of which makes them efficient for communication over the network in the second protocol. The newly formed packets are stored in a transmit line buffer and associated with a Protocol Descriptor. The Protocol Descriptor provides information to a transmit controller to allow the transmit controller to select and aggregate packets from the transmit line buffer in order to make efficient use of the second protocol.

主权项

1. A communication control system, the system comprising:
a) a memory; b) a physical layer controller coupled to the memory, the physical layer controller capable of executing instructions, the instructions allowing the controller to: i) generate at least one Receive Descriptor; ii) receive service packets from a first network; iii) store the service packets in the memory based on the content of the Receive Descriptor; iv) define Packet Data Units, all of the Packet Data Units being the same length; v) generate Protocol Descriptors and associate each such Protocol Descriptor with one or more Packet Data Units; and vi) store each Protocol Descriptor in an entry in the memory; and c) a Network Central Processing Unit (CPU) capable of executing instructions, the instructions allowing the Network CPU to: i) read the Protocol Descriptors; and ii) if there are more than a minimum number of Protocol Descriptors stored in the memory, then generating a reservation request on a second network; wherein the service packets are received in accordance with a first protocol and the Packet Data Units are transmitted in accordance with a second protocol; wherein the first network is an Ethernet network and the second network is a MoCA network.