Patent attributes
A first sub-switch for a network switch includes a plurality of ports. A forwarding engine communicates with the ports. A control plane processor communicates with the forwarding engine. A first sub-switch interface communicates with the forwarding engine and receives a path message from a second sub-switch in the network switch. A second sub-switch interface communicates with the forwarding engine, transmits the path message to a third sub-switch in the network switch, and receives a reserve message from the third sub-switch identifying requested resources for a planned data flow having a quality of service. The control plane processor attempts to reserve the requested resources on the second sub-switch interface based on the quality of service.
