Packet Switch with Internally Buffered Crossbars

Abstract

The increasing demand for higher data rates on the Internet requires routers that deliver high performance for high-speed connections. While output-buffered switches are known for their limited scalability, input-buffered (IB) switches have been of interest for research and commercialization. However, IB switches may not be able to keep up with the increasing data rates as optical technology advances rapidly. To keep up with the increasing data rates, switches based on internally buffered crossbars are considered a feasible solution for the next generation packet switches. The cost associated with internally buffered crossbar switches is tied to the addition of buffers to the crosspoint elements. Here, we present an overview of several internally buffered crossbar switches and their selection schemes. Furthermore, we discuss the properties of the different approaches to internally buffered packet switches.