Abstract: A method and control apparatus are provided for implementing control of a multiple-ring hybrid crossbar partially non-blocking data switch, the data switch including a plurality of bus units, each bus unit coupled to a respective data ramp and a plurality of data rings connected between each of the data ramps, with each data ramp device only connected to the two adjacent data ramp devices. Control apparatus includes one request handler per bus unit, one destination arbiter per bus unit, and one ring arbiter per ring. The request handler receives a request from an associated bus unit and saves the pending request state until a grant to the bus unit occurs. The request includes a destination unit identifier. The request handler forwards the request to the destination arbiter for the destination unit and the destination arbiter grants the request. Responsive to the destination arbiter granting the request, the request handler individually asks one of the ring arbiters to use the respective ring.