Abstract: A method for controlling the data rate of a virtual connection. Data packets are received for transmission on the virtual connection. The method comprises buffering the data packets in a buffer. A counter signal is generated to indicate the beginning of timeslots in a measurement window. The number of timeslots needed to transmit the data packets with a selected data rate is determined. The method further accesses data from at least one table to determine the spacing between timeslots in the measurement window used to request access to a data bus based on the number of timeslots needed to achieve the selected data rate. Further, access to a data bus for the data packets in the buffer is requested based on the data accessed from the table. The method further transmits the packets when access to the bus is granted.

Abstract: A system and method for protection of virtual connections at the data link layer. The method provides for protection switching in a ring network. The method comprises detecting an error in one of a first and second routes (“the errored route”). Error cells are generated for each virtual connection affected by the detected error. Error cells are transmitted downstream on the errored route. First switch fabric receives the error cells at a downstream network element associated with the errored route. Change in state of the errored route is communicated to a second switch fabric of the downstream network element associated with the other of the first and second routes (the “other route”). When the state of the errored route is worse than the state of the other route, automatically configuring the second switch fabric to establish the other route to be a working route for the virtual connection.

Abstract: A method for controlling the data rate of a virtual connection. Data packets are received for transmission on the virtual connection. The method comprises buffering the data packets in a buffer. A counter signal is generated to indicate the beginning of timeslots in a measurement window. The number of timeslots needed to transmit the data packets with a selected data rate is determined. The method further accesses data from at least one table to determine the spacing between timeslots in the measurement window used to request access to a data bus based on the number of timeslots needed to achieve the selected data rate. Further, access to a data bus for the data packets in the buffer is requested based on the data accessed from the table. The method further transmits the packets when access to the bus is granted.

Abstract: A method for controlling the data rate of a virtual connection. Data packets are received for transmission on the virtual connection. The method comprises buffering the data packets in a buffer. A counter signal is generated to indicate the beginning of timeslots in a measurement window. The number of timeslots needed to transmit the data packets with a selected data rate is determined. The method further accesses data from at least one table to determine the spacing between timeslots in the measurement window used to request access to a data bus based on the number of timeslots needed to achieve the selected data rate. Further, access to a data bus for the data packets in the buffer is requested based on the data accessed from the table. The method further transmits the packets when access to the bus is granted.