Abstract: A communication system for communication of data packets or cells associated with a packet or cell switched network is disclosed herein. The system includes a plurality of ports and a switching segmentation and reassembly device. The switching segmentation and reassembly device routes data packets or cells to and from the ports and the at least one destination. The switching segmentation and reassembly device further switches data packets or cells between ports. The switching segmentation and reassembly device switches cells from cell ports to packet ports by reassembling cells into packets and manipulation of information. The switching segmentation and reassembly device switches packets from packet ports to cell ports by segmenting packets into cells and manipulation of header information.

Abstract: A packet communication scheduling system comprises tunnel schedulers, a packet scheduler, and a rate controller. The packet scheduler generates a packet schedule and first-set information in response to packet information. The first tunnel scheduler generates a first schedule for a first set of tunnels in response to the first-set information. The first tunnel scheduler also generates second-set information in response to the first-set information. The second tunnel scheduler generates a second schedule for a second set of tunnels in response to the second-set information. The second tunnel scheduler also generates third-set information in response to the second-set information. The third tunnel scheduler generates a third schedule for a third set of tunnels in response to the third-set information. The third tunnel scheduler selects a next third-set tunnel identifier based on the third schedule.