A method for controlling the distribution and recovery of buffers in an asynchronous network

摘要

In an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network addressable buffers are used to assemble data packets prior to their transmission over a virtual channel. The allocation of buffers is controlled using a single integrated buffer distribution queue and recovery queue 40. The queue comprises three pointers a start distribution pointer (dQstP), a finish distribution pointer (dQFnP) and a recovery pointer (rQFnP). The recovery pointer being initially located alongside the finish distribution pointer. A list of free buffers is entered into the queue between the start distribution pointer and the finish distribution pointer. Buffers are removed from the queue when required using the start distribution pointer and are returned to the queue using the recovery pointer. Each buffer location in the queue contains a bit which indicates when a buffer is free for use.