Patent attributes
A method and system for switching data in a data switch. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises receiving a plurality of cells at a merged input queue of the data switch, wherein a cell of the plurality of cells is characterized by a priority and a destination. In one embodiment, the destination identifies an output port of the data switch. An age tag is assigned to at least one cell of the plurality of cells. In one embodiment, the age tag indicates the relative length of time a cell of has been in the merged input queue as compared to other cells of the plurality of cells. A portion of the plurality of cells is selected according to a priority selection. It is determined whether any cells of the portion have the same destination. At least one connection request associated with cells of the portion is transmitted, wherein cells having the same destination are transmitted according to the age tag.
