Interconnecting network for switching data packets and method for switching data packets

A method for switching data packets in an input buffered interconnection network, which includes

• a local packet switch element which is input buffered by local input buffers, and a local arbiter connected to the local input buffers and which also includes
• a remote packet switch element which is input buffered by remote input buffers, and a remote arbiter connected to the remote input buffers, and
• wherein said data packets have data and flow control information, the method comprising the steps of:
• having the local arbiter which receives said flow control information from one of the local input buffers check whether said flow control information includes a credit, wherein upon the condition that
• said flow control information includes a credit, the credit is routed to the remote arbiter, and the remote arbiter causes said data to be transmitted to the local input buffer.