Importance

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Abstract

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for reducing information loss in a communications network. In accordance with the method of the invention, a plurality of virtual connections are sent over a first link from a first node in the communications network to a second node. The first and second nodes comprise a plurality of input queues coupled to a switching network which is in turn coupled to a plurality of output queues. Each virtual connection is associated with a first output queue in the first node and a second input queue and a second output queue in the second node. A connection feedback signal is provided from the second node to the first node comprising data reflecting the status of the second input queue associated with a virtual connection. The flow of information between the first node and the second node is controlled for each virtual connection in response to the connection feedback signal associated with that virtual connection. In addition, a switch feedback signal is provided from the second output queue to the second input queue for each virtual connection. The switch feedback signal for a particular virtual connection comprises data reflecting the status of the second output queue associated with the virtual connection and is used to control the flow of information between the second input queue and the second output queue for each virtual connection in response to the switch feedback signal associated with that virtual connection.

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First Claim