Abstract: In a switch fabric environment, which includes a buffer, packet data of different class-types from different sources is received, stored in the buffer, processed and outputted to its intended destination. As the buffer fills up, transmission from some of the data sources is stopped to avoid dropping of packets. To avoid packet loss, when the occupancy of the buffer reaches a first threshold value, further transmission of a first-class type of data is precluded from the particular source of that data then being received, while transmission from other sources of that same first-class type of data is not precluded from these other data sources until first-class type of data from such other sources is also received. Further, data of a second-class type is not precluded from being transmitted as long as the amount of data stored in the buffer remains below a second threshold, which is greater than the first threshold.

Abstract: When one party places a long distance call to another party through a telephone network, there is a delay in completing the call after the calling party enters the telephone number of the called party. During this holding time, a message specific to the geographic location of the called party is synthesized in light of information gleaned from the dialed telephone number and delivered to the calling party. The message may include an identification of the location of the called party, the time of day and date where the called party is located, news, weather, or other location specific information. The message may also include advertising information.