Apparatus and method for generating rate control frames in a workgroup switch based on traffic contribution from a network switch port

摘要

A network switch in a full-duplex IEEE 802.3 network includes a data monitor module that monitors data utilization between ports. Upon detection of a congestion condition in an output buffer, the data monitor module determines for each of the remaining network switch ports a traffic contribution relative to the total network traffic received by the one congested network switch port. The network switch includes a rate controller that generates rate control frames for the remaining network switch ports, where each rate control frame specifies a transmission rate for the transmitting network node based on the corresponding traffic contribution by the network node. The outputting of a rate control frame to a network node based on the corresponding traffic contribution optimizes elimination of the congestion condition by prioritizing the generation of rate control frames for the network node most responsible for creating the congestion condition. In addition, disruption of traffic is minimized in stations having little or no traffic contribution to the congested network switch port.