[54] METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING ADAPTIVE PACKET LENGTHS IN A CONGESTED NETWORK
[75] Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer; David Weiss, both of Palo Alto; Jay Casuba, Mountain View, all of Calif.
[73] Assignee: Siemens Information and
Communication Networks, Inc., Boca
Raton, Fla.
[21] Appl. No.: 08/828,483
[22] Filed: Mar. 31, 1997
[51] Int. CI.6 G06F 15/00; G06F 13/00;
G06F 13/14
[52] U.S. CI 709/233; 709/231; 709/232;
709/234; 709/250; 395/730; 395/826; 395/559;
370/232; 370/248; 370/397; 370/402
[58] Field of Search 340/825.05; 709/232,
709/250, 233, 234, 231; 370/232, 248, 397, 402, 395, 392, 469, 399, 471; 395/730,
826, 559
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,704,606 11/1987 Hasley 340/825.5
In a network, the efficiency of data transfer is improved. The network includes packets of data (100, 120). The invention begins by preserving an original packet (100). A larger packet (140) is then constructed by combining two packets (100, 120). Either the original packet (100) or the larger packet (140) is transmitted over the network. The original packet (100) is transmitted if the media/port (52) becomes available for transmission before the larger packet (140) is constructed, and the larger packet (140) is transmitted if the constructing of the larger packet (140) is completed before the media (52) becomes available. In a network with cells, a packet is constructed by combining cells. This packet is built until the media becomes available for transmission. The size and composition of this packet is independent of an original packet's size and composition.
25 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
