Credit-based network congestion management

A method of operating a switching network, wherein the switching network includes first and third switches coupled to the second switch to communicate data traffic between the first and third switches through the second switch, the method comprising:

• the first switch requesting transmission credits from the third switch, and in response to receiving transmission credits, transmitting data traffic in accordance with the transmission credits;
• the third switch receiving a request for transmission credits from the first switch, generating the transmission credits, and transmitting the transmission credits toward the first switch via the second switch;
• the second switch receiving from the third switch transmission credits intended for the first switch, wherein the transmission credits specify a quanta of network traffic that can be transmitted by the first switch;
• and
• responsive to receiving the transmission credits, the second switch modifying the transmission credits to change the quanta of network traffic that can be transmitted by the first switch and transmitting the modified transmission credits to the first switch.