Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically forming a virtual circuit in an ATM switch is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the virtual circuit may be used to transport an ATM data cell included in an associated communication session. The disclosed method includes the following operative steps. First, a configuration cell is created. Next the virtual circuit is formed by passing the configuration cell to a destination node by way of at least one connective node. The configuration cell updates and validates an associated connection table capable of defining a virtual link. The virtual link being part of the virtual circuit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scheduling cells output on an output path of a data switch. The data switch is configured for switching the cells from a plurality of input paths to the output path. The method includes providing a plurality of queues, each queue of the plurality of queues having an assigned weight, respective ones of the plurality of input paths being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of queues. The method further includes providing a plurality of queues of queues. The plurality of queues being coupled to the plurality of queues of queues with queues of the plurality of queues having a similar weight being coupled a same queue of queues of the plurality of queues of queues. There is further included providing a scheduler, the plurality of queues of queues being input into the scheduler, the scheduler being coupled to the output path.

Abstract: The invention relates, in one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for shaping the output of cells on an output path of a data transmitting device. The data transmitting device is configured for switching the cells from a plurality of input paths to the output path to a network. In one embodiment the method includes sorting a plurality of queues, each queue including a plurality of cells associated with a communication device. The plurality of queues are arranged according to a weight and a data rate associated with each plurality of cells resulting in a plurality of sorted queues of queues. An aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues is regulated based upon the data rates of the queues of the each sorted queue of queues. And, the output of the aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues is regulated based upon the weights of the each sorted queue of queues, such that the scheduled output is coupled to the output path.