Packet processor having service priority and loss priority features

摘要

A packet processor uses service priority and loss priority to designate a class of service for packet data. The service priority is used to determine the priority by which packets are routed out of the packet processor. The loss priority is used to determine which packets, if any, are discarded when buffer fullness exceeds a predetermined threshold. When a packet is received, the fullness of the packet buffer and/or a queue within the buffer is checked to determine whether a threshold is received. A decision is made whether to discard the packet based on the loss priority and the buffer fullness. A buffer manager, examines the fullness of each queue within the buffer and determines which class of packets to read out of the buffer.