System and method for communicating data using a common switch fabric

• Main Authors: WEIZEORICK LAWRENCE D, ZETTINGER CHRIS R, BODUCH MARK E, RANCICH DAVID G
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.05.2011
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

A communication system includes a first ingress content processor that receives information associated with a first traffic type. The first ingress content processor places the information associated with the first traffic type into a system cell having a common system cell format. A second ingress content processor receives information associated with a second traffic type. The second ingress content processor places the information associated with the second traffic type into a system cell having the common system cell format. A switch fabric receives system cells from the first and second ingress content processors. System cells from the first ingress content processor are automatically sent to the switch fabric while system cells from the second ingress content processor are required to be scheduled before being sent to the switch fabric. The switch fabric separately queues system cells carrying payloads associated with the first traffic type from system cells carrying payloads associated with the second traffic type. The switch fabric services system cells carrying payloads associated with the first traffic type prior to servicing system cells carrying payloads associated with the second traffic type.