Dynamic packet training

Abstract

A packet control mechanism for a computer data system that dynamically adjusts packet training depending on the utilization load on the processor. The dynamic adjustment of packet training can be to enable and disable packet training, or adjust the number of packets in the packet train. In preferred embodiments, the computer data system includes a processor utilization mechanism that indicates a load on a processor. When the packet control mechanism determines the load on the processor is above a threshold limit, the packet control mechanism reduces the processor load by compressing the packets into the packet train. The compressing of the packets is stopped or reduced when the processor load is below a threshold in order to increase the data throughput on the network interface.

1 ) A computer system comprising:
 a processor;   a processor utilization mechanism that indicates load on the processor;   a network interface that allows the computer system to communicate with other nodes on a network coupled to the network interface by sending a plurality of data packets in a packet train over a network; and   a packet control mechanism that dynamically adjusts packet training in the network interface depending on the load on the processor indicated by the processor utilization mechanism to enable packet training when the load on the processor is above a threshold and disable packet training when the load on the processor is below the threshold.   
   
   
       2 ) The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the packet control mechanism enables and disables packet training depending on the load on the processor. 
   
   
       3 ) The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the packet control mechanism adjusts size of the packet train depending on the load on the processor. 
   
   
       4 ) The computer system of  claim 3  wherein the packet control mechanism compares the load on the processor to a plurality of predetermined thresholds and sets a maximum size of a packet train depending on a corresponding predetermined threshold. 
   
   
       5 ) The computer system of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined threshold is set by a user of the computer data system. 
   
   
       6 ) The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the load on the processor is determined using an API call. 
   
   
       7 ) A program product comprising:
 (A) a processor utilization mechanism that indicates loading on the processor;   (B) a packet control mechanism that dynamically adjusts packet training depending on load on the processor to enable packet training when the load on the processor is above a threshold and disable packet training when the load on the processor is below the threshold; and   (C) computer recordable media bearing the processor utilization mechanism and the packet control mechanism.   
   
   
       8 ) (canceled) 
   
   
       9 ) (canceled) 
   
   
       10 ) The program product of  claim 7  wherein the packet control mechanism enables and disables packet training depending on the load on the processor. 
   
   
       11 ) The program product of  claim 7  wherein the packet control mechanism adjusts the size of the packet train depending the load on the processor. 
   
   
       12 ) The program product of  claim 11  wherein the packet control mechanism compares the load on the processor to a plurality of predetermined thresholds and sets a maximum size of a packet train depending on a corresponding predetermined threshold. 
   
   
       13 ) The program product of  claim 12  wherein the predetermined threshold is set by a user of the computer data system. 
   
   
       14 ) The program product of  claim 7  wherein the load on the processor is determined using an API call.