SWITCH FABRIC SWITCHOVER IN AN ATM NETWORK SWITCH

摘要

A method and apparatus for performing switchover in a network switch having first and second switch fabrics from one of the switch fabrics to the other of the switch fabrics so as to avoid cell loss during the switchover process. One of the switch fabrics is active and the other switch fabric is in a standby mode. In one embodiment switchover occurs immediately following detection of conditions indicating that the active switch fabric has fully drained. In another embodiment switchover occurs following a timeout which assures full drainage of the active switch fabric under worst case conditions.