Packet-switch system

A packet-switch system comprising:

• a port module;
• a linecard, coupled to the port module, adapted to exchange cell signals with the port module, said cell signals includes credit-based, flow control information;
• and
• a module adapted to send a request count value periodically so as to tolerate dropped requests or grant cells.

A method for packet switching comprising the steps of:

• exchanging credit-based, flow control information between a transmitter module and a receiver module, wherein said credit-based flow control information is included within at least one linecard-to-switch protocol formatted cell signal;
• maintaining a mapping of the buffering capacity of the receiver module to receive the at least one linecard-to-switch protocol formatted cell signal;
• and
• sending a request count value periodically so as to tolerate dropped requests or grant cells.

An apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter module, adapted to receive a first signal in a first format and to transmit a second signal in a linecard-to-switch protocol format,
• a receiver module, coupled to the transmitter module, adapted to receive a third signal in the linecard-to-switch protocol format, to transmit a fourth signal in a third format and to transmit buffering capacity information regarding the receiver module to the transmitter module;
• and
• a module adapted to send a request count value periodically so as to tolerate dropped requests or grant cells.