US Patent 7873048 Flexible port rate limiting

A switching device includes a parsing module, a classification module, a bandwidth tracking module, and a rate limitation module. The parsing module receives packets and separates layer four packets from the packets. The classification module classifies the layer four packets into control packets and data packets. The bandwidth tracking module communicates with the classification module and has a fullness level. The rate limitation module selectively performs an action on at least one of the control packets and data packets based on the fullness level. The action includes at least one of discarding, asserting flow control, and accepting the at least one of the control packets and data packets.