Abstract: A packet switch. The switch includes a plurality of port cards. Each port card has an unstriper which reassembles stripes of a particular packet. The switch includes a plurality of fabrics. Each fabric operates on only a same respective fragment of a packet received from one of the plurality of port cards at any one time and allows the same respective fragments to be reassembled at one of the plurality of port cards. Each of the plurality of fragments is connected to each of the plurality of port cards. A method for switching packets. The method includes the steps of sending a sync signal from a port card to a plurality of fragments. Then there is the step of sending fragments of a packet as stripes to the respect plurality of fabrics. Next there is the step of operating on the fragments after they are received at each respective fabric by each respective fabric only after the respective fabric has receives the sync signal.

Abstract: A switch. The switch includes a plurality of port cards. Each port card having an unstriper having a plurality of internal FIFOs which produces a back pressure signal whenever any one of the plurality of internal FIFOs has a predetermined amount of data of fragments of packets. The switch includes a plurality of fabrics. Each fabric is connected to each port card. Each fabric having a separator which sends fragments of a packet to an associated unstriper and which stops sending fragments of the packets when the separator receives a back pressure signal. The separator delay is greater than any back pressure propagation delay between any one of the plurality of unstripers and any one of the plurality of separators so all separators stop sending companion fragments of the same fragment at the same. A method for switching packets.