Abstract: A scheduler block that schedules and shapes packets such as ATM cells. The scheduler block includes multiple queues. Each queue is associated with a physical layer device. Each queue stores packets intended for the physical layer device associated with that queue. Each packet has a priority level associated therewith and a weight indicative of the priority level of that packet. The scheduler block also includes a shaper that retrieves packets from the queues and forwards the packets to the interface. The order in which the packets are retrieved from the plurality of queues is based on the weight assigned to each packet. For each physical layer device, the shaper shapes the packets retrieved from the queue associated with that physical layer device based on a data rate for that physical layer device.