Abstract: Flows in data streams are identified according to a simple but flexible device whereby searching for a flow identification is done according to a standard routine that can be accomplished with customized circuitry. Flexibility is achieved by allowing parameters of the search routine to be specified in memory which can be programmably altered. Speed and flexibility are thereby both achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for transmitting data cells in an ATM network having a plurality of connections. A first number of tokens are allocated to a selected one of the plurality of connections. Data cells are transmitted from the selected connection at a peak cell rate while the first number is greater than zero. The first number is decremented by one for each data cell transmitted by the selected connection at the peak cell rate. Data cells are then transmitted from the selected connection at a sustainable cell rate which is less than the peak cell rate while the first number is zero. The first number is incremented by a variable increment during an idle period in which the selected connection does not transmit data cells. The variable increment increases in value as the idle period increases in duration.