Abstract: A packet-switch system utilizes a linecard-to-switch (LCS) protocol to integrate linecards with a switch core. Since the linecards include a majority of the buffering of the system and are located physically away from switch core, the size of the switch core can be reduced in size. The LCS protocol is a label-swapping, credit-based, flow-control, which enables the system to operate without requiring such information as the number of port modules available within a switch core or what Qualities of Service (QoS) or multicast flows are available. In addition, the LCS protocol enables the linecards to contain and manage the majority of the buffers in the system, and also to control the data drop policy within the system.

Abstract: A method and system for combined unicast and multicast scheduling. Data cells are assigned at each input to one unicast input queue for each output or to a single multicast input queue. Each input makes two requests for scheduling to each output for which it has a queued data cell, one unicast request and one multicast request. Each output grants up to one request, choosing highest priority requests first and giving precedence to one such highest priority request using an output precedence pointer. The output precedence pointer is either an individual output precedence pointer specific to that output for unicast data cells or a group output precedence pointer generic to all outputs for multicast data cells. Each input accepts up to one grant for unicast data cells or as many grants as possible for multicast data cells, choosing highest priority grants first and giving precedence to one such highest priority grant using an input precedence pointer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for combined unicast and multicast scheduling. Data cells are assigned at each input, to one unicast input queue for each output, or to a single multicast input queue. Each input makes two requests for scheduling to each output for which it has a queued data cell, one unicast request and one multicast request. Each output grants up to one request, choosing highest priority requests first, giving precedence to one such highest priority request using an output precedence pointer, either an individual output precedence pointer which is specific to that output for unicast data cells, or a group output precedence pointer which is generic to all outputs for multicast data cells. Each input accepts up to one grant for unicast data cells, or as many grants as possible for multicast data cells, choosing highest priority grants first, giving precedence to one such highest priority grant using an input precedence pointer.

Abstract: A high-bandwidth input-queued switch includes a set of input queues, a rotating priority iterative matching desynchronizing scheduler, and a crossbar switch. Each input queue includes at least one stored cell with an output device designation signal and a data signal. Each output device designation signal is processed by the rotating priority iterative matching desynchronizing scheduler so that the data signal associated with the output device designation signal is routed through the crossbar switch to an output device specified by the output device designation signal. The rotating priority iterative matching desynchronizing scheduler includes a set of grant scheduler units, each of which receives a set of device designation signals and generates an input device grant signal on the basis of a grant scheduler priority designation signal.