Abstract: A method for controlling data cell transmission in a network can be implemented at a network element through which data cells are transferred between source and destination nodes. The method includes receiving a control cell on a virtual channel from a source node, generating a management event upon receipt of the control cell, and processing the management event to compute resource management data. Upon the subsequent receipt of a control cell on a virtual channel from a destination node, the control cell from the destination node is modifying using the computed resource management data and transmitted over the first virtual channel toward the source node. In another aspect, a data transmission apparatus regulates the transmission of data and control cells. The apparatus includes source and destination port circuitry, switching circuitry, management event circuitry, and return cell circuitry.

Abstract: An information cell transmission method includes receiving flow control cells at a switch from a collection of multicast virtual circuits and aggregating the flow control cells to form an aggregate flow control cell. A network switch includes first and second port circuitry and control circuitry. The first port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on a collection of multicast virtual circuits coupling the switch to destination nodes. The second port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on another virtual circuit that couples the switch to a source node. The control circuitry is operatively couples the collection of multicast virtual circuits to the source virtual circuit via the first and second port circuitry.

Abstract: An information cell transmission method includes receiving flow control cells at a switch from a collection of multicast virtual circuits and aggregating the flow control cells to form an aggregate flow control cell. A network switch includes first and second port circuitry and control circuitry. The first port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on a collection of multicast virtual circuits coupling the switch to destination nodes. The second port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on another virtual circuit that couples the switch to a source node. The control circuitry is operatively couples the collection of multicast virtual circuits to the source virtual circuit via the first and second port circuitry.

Abstract: An information cell transmission method includes receiving flow control cells at a switch from a collection of multicast virtual circuits and aggregating the flow control cells to form an aggregate flow control cell. A network switch includes first and second port circuitry and control circuitry. The first port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on a collection of multicast virtual circuits coupling the switch to destination nodes. The second port circuitry is operative to exchange flow control cells on another virtual circuit that couples the switch to a source node. The control circuitry is operatively couples the collection of multicast virtual circuits to the source virtual circuit via the first and second port circuitry.