Patent ID: 7359325

Claim:
A method of inserting empty memory cells into a data flow of network connections of a computer network, the method comprising: receiving during a predetermined period of time insertion requests for empty memory cells to be inserted into the data flow from a plurality of requesting sources, each of the requesting sources having a corresponding priority such that the insertion request from the highest priority source will be carried out; determining an appropriate insertion scheme for carrying out the insertion request, wherein the appropriate insertion scheme includes a first insertion scheme configured to send the insertion request using a first indicator that the empty memory cell should be shaped using predetermined shaping parameters and a second insertion scheme configured to send the insertion request using a second indicator that the empty memory cell should be unshaped; and sending the insertion request to an insertion device configured to insert the empty memory cell into a main buffer for the data flow, the insertion request including the first indicator or the second indicator based on the appropriate insertion scheme determined.