The knockout switch: A simple architecture for high-performance packet switching.

We consider the problem of routing high-speed, time-multiplexed packets of information from N inputs to N outputs by means of a centrally located digital switch. For such a switch, potential contention for an output port among packets simultaneously arriving on two or more inputs can be managed only in one of two ways: either a centralized controller must be used to schedule packet arrivals to avoid such conflict, or, to permit decentralized control and self-routing, buffering must be employed within the switch to delay needed for scheduling, but typically requires distributed, autonomous buffers internal to the switching fabric to compensate for congestion at internal switching points.