Method and System for Managing Memory in a High Speed Network

摘要

A method and system are provided for managing memory to reassemble data packets received from different virtual channels in an ATM network. The method and system recognizes that both reliable and best effort traffic must be supported by a network interface. The system makes use of a virtual First-In-First-Out (FIFO) concept that partitions RAM memory space into multiple FIFO queues. The virtual FIFOs can have different sizes, and can be allocated to connections depending on quality of service requirements. A dedicated embedded controller 721 to provide flexibility is used in the system, as well as Content Addressable Memory (CAM) devices 723,724, and external logic. The method and system can also be applied at ATM transmitters in the implementation of congestion control algorithms.