Method and apparatus for using layer 4 information in a layer 2 switch in order to support end-to-end (layer 4) flow control in a communicatio network

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to cause the apparatus to perform:
• receive a first end-to-end flow control representation for at least one logical connection from a first apparatus to a second apparatus;
• update at least one end-to-end credit value, the or each of the at least one end-to-end credit value associated with one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus based on the first end-to-end flow control representation;
• select at least one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus based on an associated end-to-end credit value;
• generate a second end-to-end flow control representation for the at least one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus;
• and
• transmit the second end-to-end flow control representation addressed to the second apparatus.

A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer causes to perform:

• receiving a first end-to-end flow control representation for at least one logical connection from a first apparatus to a second apparatus;
• updating at least one end-to-end credit value, the or each of the at least one end-to-end credit value associated with one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus based on the first end-to-end flow control representation;
• selecting at least one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus based on an associated end-to-end credit value;
• generating a second end-to-end flow control representation for the at least one of the at least one logical connection from the first apparatus to the second apparatus;
• and
• transmitting the second end-to-end flow control representation addressed to the second apparatus.