Apparatus and method for passing metadata in streams modules

1. A method for passing metadata in STREAMS modules, the method comprising:

programming an amount of time for delaying a transmission of a STREAMS message in flow control rules;

allocating the STREAMS message in a kernel space;

storing data in a data block in the STREAMS message;

allocating a buffer space for the metadata associated with the data;

storing the metadata associated with the data in a metadata block in the STREAMS message corresponding to the buffer space for the metadata;

passing the metadata among the STREAMS modules as a part of the STREAMS message; and

performing an operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata, said operation comprising:

delaying a transmission of the data based on a particular user and the amount of time programmed for delaying the transmission of the STREAMS message in the flow control rules, wherein the data comprises user data.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a STREAMS stack comprises the STREAMS modules in the kernel space.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metadata block is allocated when the STREAMS message is allocated in the kernel space.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metadata is stored in the metadata block that is extendable.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data and the associated metadata are passed among the STREAMS modules.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

subsequently transmitting the user data in a downstream or upstream direction.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

transmitting the data based on the metadata, in a downstream or upstream direction.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

delaying the transmission of the user data, based on the metadata and availability of system resources, and

subsequently transmitting the user data in a downstream or upstream direction.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

transmitting the data based on the metadata and availability of system resources, in a downstream or upstream direction.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

performing any operation that is based on the metadata.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata permits a differential service to be performed in the kernel space, based on the metadata.

12. An article of manufacture comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to:

program an amount of time for delaying a transmission of a STREAMS message in flow control rules;

allocate the STREAMS message in a kernel space;

store data in a data block in the STREAMS message;

allocate a buffer space for metadata associated with the data;

store the metadata associated with the data in a metadata block in the STREAMS message corresponding to the buffer space for the metadata;

pass the metadata among STREAMS modules as a part of the STREAMS message; and

perform an operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata, said operation comprising:

a transmission of the data based on a particular user and the amount of time programmed for delaying the transmission of the STREAMS message in the flow control rules, wherein the data comprises user data.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein a STREAMS stack comprises the STREAMS modules in the kernel space.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the metadata block is allocated when the STREAMS message is allocated in the kernel space.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the metadata is stored in the metadata block that is extendable.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the data and the associated metadata are passed among the STREAMS modules.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises having stored thereon instructions to:

subsequently transmit the user data in a downstream or upstream direction.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the performing the operation on the the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

transmitting the data based on the metadata, in a downstream or upstream direction.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises having stored thereon instructions to:

delay a transmission of the user data, based on the metadata and availability of system resources, and

subsequently transmit the user data in a downstream or upstream direction.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

transmitting the data based on the metadata and availability of system resources, in a downstream or upstream direction.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata further comprises:

performing any operation that is based on the metadata.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 12 , wherein the performing the operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata permits a differential service to be performed in the kernel space, based on the metadata.

23. An apparatus for passing metadata in STREAMS modules, the apparatus comprising:

means for programming an amount of time for delaying a transmission of a STREAMS message in flow control rules;

means for allocating the STREAMS message in a kernel space;

means for storing data in a data block in the STREAMS message;

means for allocating a buffer space for the metadata associated with the data;

means for storing the metadata associated with the data in a metadata block in the STREAMS message corresponding to the buffer space for the metadata;

means for passing the metadata among the STREAMS modules as a part of the STREAMS message; and

means for performing an operation on the STREAMS message based upon the metadata, said operation comprising:

delaying a transmission of the data based on a particular user and the amount of time programmed for delaying the transmission of the STREAMS message in the flow control rules, wherein the data comprises user data.