Aurelio M Rios

US Patent:

6785766, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663509

Inventors:

Raanan Ben-Zur - Campbell CA
Rohit Jindal - Sunnyvale CA
Aurelio Marquez Rios - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD

International Classification:

H04L 522

US Classification:

711104, 370539, 370541, 370405

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for servicing massive interrupts in random access memory (RAM) are provided, comprising receiving a massive interrupt signal, and reading at least one unit interrupt register in a first RAM area in response to the massive interrupt signal. A set unit interrupt bit corresponds to an address in a second RAM area. Interrupt status registers are read at the corresponding address in the second RAM area in response to the set unit interrupt bit. A set interrupt status bit corresponds to an address in a third RAM area. Interrupt cause bits are read at the corresponding address in the third RAM area in response to the set interrupt status bit, and detailed information is obtained about the interrupt. The interrupt is serviced in accordance with the detailed information.