Abstract: A matching method for a multi-stage switch arrangement having a plurality of logically associated inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein the matching method comprises the steps of: for each logical association of inputs, aggregating service requests from every one of the inputs which form said logical association; resolving contention for said aggregated service requests between all of the logical associations to the outputs of the switch arrangement; and repeating the above steps in the matching method within each logical association for a subset of the inputs forming each said logical association until contention is resolved between the individual inputs of the switch arrangement and the outputs of the switch arrangement.