FIFO-BASED NETWORK INTERFACE SUPPORTING OUT-OF-ORDER PROCESSING

摘要

Support for priority and IP security packets, and other protocols at the network interface level and in conjunction with FIFO-based packet buffers is provided by allowing out of order processing of certain packets in the FIFO. The optimized character of FIFO for sequential transfer is maintained, while particular types of packets are processed out of order to achieve minimum latency and maximum data security in an intelligent network interface card (10). A buffer (15) stores data packets in an order of receipt. Logic is included in the network interface to transfer packets out of the buffer (15) according to the order of receipt, and according to the respective packet types so that packets having a particular packet type are transferred out of the order of receipt relative to packets having other packet types.