System and method for arbitration of multicast data packets using holds

摘要

An arbiter generates an availability signal indicating whether pseudo-ports are available for receiving data. Each pseudo-port identifies one or more output ports of a packet switch. The availability signal also indicates whether each pseudo-port has a hold. A hold on a pseudo-port indicates that the pseudo-port is being held for an input port of the packet switch. Although the packet switch may complete routing of a data packet in progress to an output port of the pseudo-port that has the hold, the packet switch will not initiate routing of a data packet to an output port of the pseudo-port until each output port of the pseudo-port is available. When all the output ports of the pseudo-port are available, the packet switch can route data of a data packet from the input port for which the pseudo-port is being held to each output port of the pseudo-port.