Use of shared table in operation of segmented ATM connections

摘要

The invention relates to asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connections that are segmented into separate feedback control loops. A virtual destination (VD) of a given segment provides feedback to the virtual source (VS) of the same segment. The feedback is based on flow control information provided by the VS of the adjacent downstream segment. Information is transferred across segment boundaries by using a data table shared by the VS of one segment and the VD of the adjacent upstream segment. The actual Allowable Cell Rate for a segment is written into the table, from which it can be extracted by the VD of the next upstream segment. VS/VD switches are implemented in either a centralized or a distributed configuration.