METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREDIT-BASED DATA FLOW CONTROL

摘要

Methods and systems for controlling data flow between a sender and a receiver include communicating credit lists to the sender. The credit lists include credits indicative of receive buffer sizes accessible by the receiver and capable of receiving data. The sender transmits data packets to the receiver. The data packets are preferably no greater in size than the credits specified in the credit list. When the sender uses all of the credits, the sender preferably refrains from sending data packets to the receiver until the supply of credits is replenished by the receiver. Because data flow between the sender and the receiver is regulated using credits, the likelihood of data overflow errors is reduced and communication efficiency is increased.