Rate-controlled multi-class high-capacity packet switch

摘要

A high-capacity switch for transferring variable-sized packets under rate control is described. The packets are divided in the switch into segments of predetermined equal size. The packets are reconstructed before egress from the switch. The switch serves traffic of different classes of service, but the class of service distinction is relevant only at the ingress or egress modules. The switch control is preferably centralized to facilitate effective sharing of the inner capacity of the switch. The control is based on modulating the ingress/egress rate according to traffic load, the central control being unaware of the class of service disposition of the traffic it controls. The advantage is a high capacity switch adapted to transfer variable-sized packets with guaranteed rate control.