Inventors:
Joel R. Williams - San Jose CA
International Classification:
H04L 1256
Abstract:
A cache apparatus and method for improving the connection capacity of an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switch. The cache updates the ATM switch with information for configuring connections while maintaining a separate connection table. Incoming data cells are examined by a cell router and routed either directly to the switch, if a connection is already configured, or to a cell holding area while the connection is being set up in the switch. Unused or underused connections are detected in the connection table by a reclaim ager and marked underused. An updater then reviews the connection table to use the connection resources represented by the underused connections for configuring connections for the data cell stored in the cell holding area.