Communication Interface Functional Overview
MPSC and Ethernet SW Implications
Copyright © 2002 Marvell
CONFIDENTIAL
Doc. No. MV-S300165-00, Rev. A
May 21, 2002, Preliminary
Document Classification: Proprietary Information
Page 67
When the descriptor is moved to the application layer, it can:
•
Process the packet.
•
Send the packet to a different queue.
•
Ignore the packet and release the descriptor immediately.
Heavy packet processing might delay the receive queue handling. This method enables parallel descriptor han-
dling and receive new packets.
To release the descriptor:
•
Connect the descriptor between the tail and the dummy.
•
Set the tail to be owned by the GT device.
•
Mark the released descriptor as the new tail.
shows an example of releasing the descriptor.
Figure 31: Releasing the Descriptor Chain
buffer pointer
Next desc pointer
buffer size
Byte count
cmd status
buffer pointer
Next desc pointer
buffer size
Byte count
Own = GT
...
.....
....
buffer pointer
Next desc pointer
buffer size
Byte count
buffer pointer
Next desc pointer
buffer size
Byte count
This is the new
Tail
Dummy
Current rx desc (Head)
Back from the
application layer
after processing.
cmd status
Own = GT
cmd status
Own = GT
cmd status
Own = GT