Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for storing an incoming datagram in a switch matrix of a switch fabric. The switch matrix has a pair of buffers with each buffer having a pair of portions. Data of a datagram is received and the buffer portions are sequentially filled with the data. Periodically, transfer of data is allowed from the buffers into the switch matrix. At each period where transfer of data is allowed in the sequence that the buffer portions were filled, the data in one of the buffer portions may be transferred into the switch matrix.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for updating a switching table in a switch fabric. In general, one or more status packets are received by a switch fabric component without handshaking between the transmitting source(s) and the receiving switch fabric component. Each status packet includes information relating to a status of an output port. A switching table is then updated based on the status information of the received status packet.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for transferring a packet from a port controller to a switch fabric in a switch fabric system. Notification is received indicating that a packet has been processed in the port controller. The processed packet is assigned and linked to an output priority queue. Subsequently, the packet is retrieved via the link and transmitted from the port controller to the switch fabric.