Method and system for reducing congestion in computer networks

Abstract

A system and method for discarding expired network data packets is provided. A time stamp value is assigned to data packets that are received in a data packet queue, wherein the time stamp value is based on a counter value. The time stamp value is extracted after the counter value changes or a new data packet is received at the head of the data packet queue. The extracted time stamp value is then compared with the counter value. Data packets with expired timer value are discarded.

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       11 . A system for discarding expired network data packets, comprising: 
 a counter for inserting a time stamp value in data packets received in a data packet queue; and    a comparator for comparing an extracted time stamp value and a counter value generated by the counter, wherein the time stamp value is extracted before a data packet is processed or while a data packet is waiting at a head of a data packet queue, and a packet is discarded if a time stamp value for the packet has expired.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the counter value includes a base increment value.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the counter value includes a value generated by a first programmable register.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a second register for storing the extracted time stamp value.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the comparator checks for data packet expiration if the counter value has changed or if the second register is loaded with a new data packet at the head of the data packet queue.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the time stamp value is inserted in a start of frame header of a data packet.  
   
   
       17 . A method for discarding expired network data packets, comprising: 
 inserting a time stamp value in data packets that are received in a data packet queue, wherein the time stamp value is based on a counter value;    extracting the time stamp value before a data packet is processed or while a data packet is waiting at a head of a packet queue;    comparing the extracted time stamp value with the counter value; and    discarding a data packet if the time stamp value has expired.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the counter value is based on a base increment value and a programmable register value.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the time stamp value is inserted in a start of frame header of a data packet.  
   
   
       20 . A network having a switch, comprising: 
 a system for discarding expired network data packets, wherein the system includes a counter for inserting a time stamp value in data packets received in a data packet queue, wherein the time stamp value is inserted in a start of frame header; and a comparator for comparing an extracted time stamp value and a counter value generated by the counter, wherein the time stamp value is extracted before a data packet is processed or while a data packet is waiting at a head of a data packet queue, and a packet is discarded if a time stamp value for the packet has expired.    
   
   
       21 . The network of  claim 19 , wherein the counter value includes a base increment value.  
   
   
       22 . The network of  claim 19 , wherein the counter value includes a value generated by a first programmable register.  
   
   
       23 . The network of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a second register for storing the extracted time stamp value.    
   
   
       24 . The network of  claim 22 , wherein the comparator checks for data packet expiration if the counter value has changed or if the second register is loaded with a new data packet at a head of the data packet queue.