Patent ID: 9203739
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network switch device for use in a data network, the switch device comprising: a plurality of input ports for receiving data packets, a plurality of output ports for transmitting data packets; a switch network comprising a plurality of interconnected switch elements arranged to enable connection of any of the input ports to any of the output ports, each switch element being operable to connect one of the input ports with one of the output ports, each output port including an output arbiter operable to determine which switch element is to connect an input port to that output port, the output arbiter being a round robin arbiter connected with those switch elements which are connected with the output port concerned; at least one input port including an input arbiter which is a round robin arbiter operable to determine which switch element or elements are to complete a connection from the input port concerned to an output port, the input arbiter further operable to select ports in turn in a predetermined order specific to the input arbiter, wherein the predetermined order is different from the respective predetermined orders of the other round robin arbiters within the switch element; and at least one input port being operable to transmit at least two switch request signals to at least two switch elements, wherein each output arbiter is operable to receive a switch request signal from a switch element connected with an associated output port, to determine to which input port the output port is to connect, in dependence upon such a received switch request signal and in turn in a scrambled order with respect to other round robin arbiters, the output arbiter to further signal connection status information via said switch elements to that input arbiter associated with said input port, the input arbiter being operable to select only one output port in dependence upon received connection status information, thereby to complete a single connection from said input port to a single output port.