Performance Evaluation of Variable Packet Size Buffered Crossbar Switches

The crossbar is very popular for the implementation of switches with a moderate number of ports. Unbuffered crossbars (IQ architecture) require complex switch matrix scheduling algorithms that operate on fixed-size cells. On the other hand, buffered crossbars (CICQ architecture), use small buffers at the crosspoints and provide excellent features; scheduling is simplified and variable-size packets can be directly switched. In this report we present the performance evaluation of a buffered crossbar directly switching variable sized packets. We describe in detail the simulator developed for the experimental analysis, and our set of experiments showing that the buffered crossbar switching variable-size packets outperforms most of the existing packet switch architectures.