Arrangement for transmitting packet data segments from a media access controller across multiple physical links

摘要

A Gigabit network node having a media access controller outputting packet data at Gigabit rates uses multiple 100 MB/s media interface links coupled to a physical interface to enable implementation of a Gigabit network using low cost data links. A modified reconciliation layer, also referred to as a media interface, receives a data packet from a Gigabit MAC and divides the received data packet into multiple data segments having a prescribed length. The multiple segments are output on the multiple media interface links according to a prescribed output protocol, enabling a corresponding media interface at the destination station to recompile the data packet from the received segments from the multiple transmission paths. The transmission of the segments upon multiple transmission paths provides an efficient load balancing of data traffic among the multiple transmission paths.