I'm quite curious how they handle full-duplex FDDI where witholding the token doesn't seem to be an option. Do they simply drop packets when traffic gets bursty? Ironically, I'd prefer they drop the packet bound for a busy port rather than stop all incoming traffic from a port until the busy port frees. If anyone has experience with NetStar's GigaRouters, especially in comparison to the GigaSwitches, I'd love to hear about it. You can reach me at davids@wiznet.net. DS On Tue, 17 Dec 1996, Dennis Ferguson wrote:
My (admittedly second hand) understanding is that the Gigaswitch/FDDI actually has minimal amounts of buffering. During a congestion event, it simply withholds the token, resulting in buffering in the routers. Queues there eventually overflow, and ...
This matches my understanding, though I think it understates the problem. Gigaswitches are essentially input-queued. When their teeny tiny buffers fill they flow-control everyone to slow them down. What this means is that