Patent ID: 7002916

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for shaping the output of cells on an output path of a multi-level data transmitting device, the multi-level data transmitting device being configured for regulating the cells from a plurality of input paths to the output path to a network, comprising: sorting a plurality of queues in each level, each queue including a plurality of cells associated with a communication device, wherein the plurality of queues are arranged according to a weight and a data rate associated with each of the plurality of cells resulting in a plurality of sorted queues of queues, and wherein the sorting is performed based solely on inputs from the prior level; regulating an aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues based upon the data rates of the plurality of queues of the each sorted queue of queues; and scheduling the regulated aggregate output of cells from each sorted queue of queues based upon a weight of the each sorted queue of queues, such that the scheduled output is coupled to the output path of each respective level to the next level; wherein the scheduled output conforms to a plurality of characteristics of network connections, such that the network is efficiently used to carry the cells from the plurality of input paths to a plurality of communication devices.