Reassembly engines for multilink applications

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for processing packet fragments for reassembly into packets. Datastreams containing packet fragments are received and data corresponding to different channels are segregated. For each channel, data is then aggregated to recreate packet fragments. Once the fragments are recreated, they are, if required, resequenced using a two-tier memory mapping structure where only pointers, and not the fragments, are manipulated. After resequencing fragments to reassemble the packet, the reassembled packet is dispatched to its ultimate destination. The present invention also provides a method of load balancing between multiple links when packet fragments are transmitted from a fragmenting node through a multiple link bundle.

1 . A method of selecting a link on which to transmit data in a multiple link system, the method comprising: 
 (a) determining an amount of data queued for transmission on each link in said multiple link system;    (b) selecting a link with a least amount of data queued for transmission as the link on which to transmit data; and    (c) if all links in said multiple link system have equal amounts of data queued for transmission, selecting each link in sequence as the link on which to transmit data.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, prior to step b): determining which link in said multiple link system has the most data queued for transmission.