Abstract: In a node that receives cells for many connections, a method discards entire packets when the node's buffer is full. The selected connection is one that includes at least one cell that corresponds to the beginning of a packet. In another embodiment, the connection is chosen by first making an initial selection, determining whether that selection can stand, and if not, by making an alternate selection. When an alternate selection is made, a credit factor associated with the initial selection is decremented, while the credit factor of the alternate selection is incremented. The initial selection can be carried out by considering the overall traffic load at the node, the individual traffic loads that comprise the overall traffic load of the node, and the QoS that is desired for the various connections that are active in the node.