Ciena Corporation
Controlling distributed buffers in a network to manage data packets

Abstract:

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for controlling the distribution of data packets to intermediate buffers, such as Virtual Output Queues (VOQs) of a group of nodes. A method, according to one implementation, includes a step of detecting traffic congestion metrics associated with an egress port of a destination node grouped in a set of related nodes in a network. Each of the related nodes includes a dedicated buffer device. Based on the detected traffic congestion metrics, the method further includes the step of distributing data packets, which are intended for transmission to the egress port of the destination node, intermediately to the dedicated buffer device of one or more of the related nodes.