Network node for sharing a common buffer among multiple connections while ensuring minimum bandwidth for each connection

摘要

A network node includes a single buffer connected to a transmission medium. Detection circuitry receives an incoming packet and detects the virtual connection of the received packet Control circuitry calculates a value of delivery instant for the received packet according to a minimum bandwidth assigned co the detected virtual connection so that vacancy of the transmission medium is reduced to a minimum if the received packet were delivered from the buffer onto the transmission medium at the instant of the calculated value. The calculated value is compared with a decision threshold assigned to the detected virtual connection. The received packet is stored into the buffer if the calculated value is smaller than the decision threshold or discarded if the calculated value is greater than the decision threshold.