Various embodiments of a virtual output queue system within a network element enables per-input port virtual output queues within a network data processor of the network element. In one embodiment, each port managed by a network data processor has an associated set of virtual output queues for each output port on the network data element. In one embodiment, network data processor hardware supports per-processor VOQs and per-input port VOQs are enabled in hardware for layer 3 forwarding by overloading layer 2 forwarding logic. In such embodiment, a mapping table is generated to enable virtual per-input port VOQs for layer 3 forwarding logic using layer 2 logic that is otherwise unused during layer 3 forwarding. In one embodiment, multiple traffic classes can be managed per-input port when using per-input port VOQs. In one embodiment, equal cost multi-path (ECMP) and link aggregation support is also enabled.

Various embodiments of a virtual output queue system within a network element enables per-input port virtual output queues within a network data processor of the network element. In one embodiment, each port managed by a network data processor has an associated set of virtual output queues for each output port on the network data element. In one embodiment, network data processor hardware supports per-processor VOQs and per-input port VOQs are enabled in hardware for layer 3 forwarding by overloading layer 2 forwarding logic. In such embodiment, a mapping table is generated to enable virtual per-input port VOQs for layer 3 forwarding logic using layer 2 logic that is otherwise unused during layer 3 forwarding. In one embodiment, multiple traffic classes can be managed per-input port when using per-input port VOQs. In one embodiment, equal cost multi-path (ECMP) and link aggregation support is also enabled.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide various apparatuses and methods of reordering DRB flow packets using an in-band solution to reduce delay due to data packet buffering in head-of-line blocking scenarios across multiple DRB flows. When a packet of a flow is lost or not received, other flows carried in the same DRB can forward later received packets without waiting for the missing packet to be retransmitted and received.

Network device for transmitting packets having packet properties, including at least two input-output-buffers for queuing packets in the network device; a sojourn time calculator for calculating a sojourn related time for each head packet in the at least two input-output-buffers; a sojourn related time adaptor for, based on an adaptation function assigned to the corresponding input-output-buffer, adapting the sojourn related time into an adapted time for each head packet in the at least two input-output-buffers; and a scheduler for scheduling outgoing packets based on the adapted time.

A method for communication. The method includes receiving or determining an input data stream; propagating the input data stream through a plurality of consecutive input processing stages; and transmitting a plurality of output data streams provided at the output section via a plurality of communication channels.

Systems and methods of performing traffic shaping in a network device are provided. A network interface driver of the network device can store descriptors associated with packets received from multiple streams in a transmission queue in a first order. The network interface driver can transfer the descriptors to a traffic shaping module. In response to determining that a packet from a first stream, among the received packets, has been successfully transmitted by a network card, the network interface driver can communicate a packet transmission completion message corresponding to the packet to a software application that has awaited receipt of a packet transmission completion message before forwarding additional data packets from the first stream to the network interface driver. The network interface driver can communicate packet transmission completion messages corresponding to the packets received from the multiple streams to the software application in a second order, different from the first order.

A network element includes a transmit-queue for transmitting packets from at least two sources, each source having a predefined priority level, to a headroom buffer in a peer network element. Flow-control circuitry receives from the peer network element signaling that indicates a number of credits for transmitting packets to the peer network element, manages a current number of credits available for transmission from the transmit-queue, responsive to the signaling, selects a threshold priority based on the current number of credits for the transmit-queue; and transmits packets associated with data sources of the transmit-queue that are higher in priority than the threshold priority, and refrain from transmitting other packets associated with the transmit-queue.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a switch fabric having at least a first switch stage and a second switch stage, an edge device operatively coupled to the switch fabric and a management module. The edge device is configured to send a first portion of a data stream to the switch fabric such that the first portion of the data stream is received at a queue of the second switch stage of the switch fabric via the first switch stage of the switch fabric. The management module is configured to send a flow control signal configured to trigger the edge device to suspend transmission of a second portion of the data stream when a congestion level of the queue of the second switch stage of the switch fabric satisfies a condition in response to the first portion of the data stream being received at the queue.

Various embodiments of a virtual output queue system within a network element enables per-input port virtual output queues within a network data processor of the network element. In one embodiment, each port managed by a network data processor has an associated set of virtual output queues for each output port on the network data element. In one embodiment, network data processor hardware supports per-processor VOQs and per-input port VOQs are enabled in hardware for layer 3 forwarding by overloading layer 2 forwarding logic. In such embodiment, a mapping table is generated to enable virtual per-input port VOQs for layer 3 forwarding logic using layer 2 logic that is otherwise unused during layer 3 forwarding. In one embodiment, multiple traffic classes can be managed per-input port when using per-input port VOQs. In one embodiment, equal cost multi-path (ECMP) and link aggregation support is also enabled.

The invention provides an electronic device and a flow control method thereof, wherein the electronic device can transmit a specific pause frame to another electronic device, or receive a specific pause frame from the other electronic device. The specific pause frame includes a local port flow control ability and a remote port congestion status for the electronic device to perform the most appropriate processing of each received packet, or to selectively transmit a pause frame to external devices to improve the efficiency of the network system.