Patent ID: 7773592

Claim:
A machine implemented method for routing frames in a network, comprising: (a) receiving a frame at a receive port of a networking switch element; (b) determining a transmit port and a virtual lane for routing the frame; (c) asserting a request signal to the transmit port and providing additional information to the transmit port regarding the virtual lane, a frame priority and a frame age for the received frame; (d) arbitrating between a plurality of request signals that are pending when the request signal is asserted in step (c); wherein the arbitration step uses some or all of the additional information to arbitrate between the plurality of request signals; (e) based on the arbitration in step (d), selecting a request signal from the plurality of request signals; (f) waiting for an accept signal from the transmit port; wherein the receive port waits for the accept signal; (g) determining if an output link on the transmit port is available and if a flow control credit is available for transmitting the frame; (h) asserting the accept signal, based on the determination in step (g) and sending the frame to the transmit port after the accept signal is asserted; and (i) transmitting the frame on the output link and de-asserting the request signal.