Inside Cisco IOS Software Architecture (CCIE Professional Development)

Packet Buffers for Shared Memory Routers

You might recall from Chapter 1 that IOS maintains a set of packet buffers called system buffers that are used primarily for process switching packets. IOS on shared memory routers also uses system buffers, but in a distinct way—it uses the system buffers for all packet switching, not just process switching.

In addition to the standard public buffer pools, IOS on shared memory platforms also creates some private system buffer pools and special buffer structures for the interface controllers called rings.

Private Buffer Pools

Private buffer pools are used for packet switching just like the public pools, but are intended to prevent interface buffer starvation. All interfaces must compete for buffers from ...