Fixed-length cell handling switching system and a method for controlling a read rate of a fixed-length cell

A fixed-length cell handling switching system comprising:

• a quality class identifier relating unit for relating a quality class identifier to a fixed-length cell flowing in through a route of a set call on the basis of a quality class and a declared band when said call is set;
• a managing unit for managing a route of said fixed-length cell inputted from said quality class identifier relating unit on the basis of said quality class identifier related by said quality class identifier relating unit;
• a buffer for storing said fixed-length cell managed by said managing unit;
• and
• a read rate setting control unit for setting a virtual band of said buffer on the basis of said quality class and said declared band and controlling a read rate for said fixed-length cell held in said buffer on the basis of said virtual band.

A method for controlling a read rate of a fixed-length cell stored in a buffer on the basis of a quality class of communication from said buffer comprising the steps of:

• a virtual band setting step to set a virtual band of said buffer on the basis of said quality class and a declared band;
• a quality class identifier relating step to relate a quality class identifier to a fixed-length cell flowing in through a route of a set call on the basis of said quality class of the communication and said declared band declared when said call is set;
• a buffer storing step to manage said fixed-length cell related to said quality class identifier on the basis of said quality class identifier and store said fixed-length cell in said buffer;
• and
• a reading step to read said fixed-length cell stored in said buffer at a read rate determined on the basis of said virtual band.