System for using three different methods to report buffer memory

Details System for using three different methods to report buffer memory System for using three different methods to report buffer memory

1991-12-27

1995-02-14

Lee, Thomas C.

Boots, shoes, and leggings

395200, 3642396, 3642602, 3642645, 364DIG1, 370 60, 370 941, G06F 1342, G06F 1200

Patent

active

053902998

ABSTRACT:
In a network adapter for a host computer, the data occupancy level of a buffer memory used to store network packets is monitored, and the occupancy level is reported to the host. The buffer memory is organized as a plurality of fixed-size pages. A memory controller uses an allocation counter to track the number of pages available to store incoming data packets, and the value of the allocation counter is compared with a programmable threshold. A data word accompanies each packet delivered to the host to indicate whether the allocation count exceeds the threshold. When the buffer memory has insufficient free space to store an incoming packet, the packet is discarded. The network adapter keeps a count of the number of discarded packets. An adapter manager microprocessor, which is part of the network adapter, reports the count to the host computer on request. The adapter manager also reports the value of the allocation count and other important network adapter variables to the host computer.

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