Abstract: A method and system for conveying an arbitrary mixture of high and low latency traffic streams across a common switch fabric implements a multi-dimensional traffic classification scheme, in which multiple orthogonal traffic classification methods are successively implemented for each traffic stream traversing the system. At least two diverse paths are mapped through the switch fabric, each path being optimized to satisfy respective different latency requirements. A latency classifier is adapted to route each traffic stream to a selected path optimized to satisfy latency requirements most closely matching a respective latency requirement of the traffic stream. A prioritization classifier independently prioritizes traffic streams in each path. A fairness classifier at an egress of each path can be used to enforce fairness between responsive and non-responsive traffic streams in each path.

Abstract: A high bandwidth connection is mapped through a multi-stage switch between an ingress node and an egress node via a center stage comprising M (an integer) center stage nodes. Each center stage node is connected to the ingress and egress nodes by respective links adapted to support m (an integer) respective connections. An m×M connection matrix of connections between the ingress node and the center stage is provided. Each column of the connection matrix contains 1≦j≦m connections between the ingress node and a respective one of the center stage nodes, and each row of the connection matrix contains 1≦k≦M connections between the ingress node and the center stage nodes. The high bandwidth connection is mapped through the multi-stage switch by layering the high bandwidth connection within the connection matrix. Thus the high bandwidth connection is divided into N segments.

Abstract: A method and system for conveying an arbitrary mixture of high and low latency traffic streams across a common switch fabric implements a multi-dimensional traffic classification scheme, in which multiple orthogonal traffic classification methods are successively implemented for each traffic stream traversing the system. At least two diverse paths are mapped through the switch fabric, each path being optimized to satisfy respective different latency requirements. A latency classifier is adapted to route each traffic stream to a selected path optimized to satisfy latency requirements most closely matching a respective latency requirement of the traffic stream. A prioritization classifier independently prioritizes traffic streams in each path. A fairness classifier at an egress of each path can be used to enforce fairness between responsive and non-responsive traffic streams in each path.