A configurable adaptive variable length data packet transmission output
scheduler for enabling substantially simultaneous transmission on a
common transmission link, as of fiber optics, of differentiated services
for various different traffic types, executing different QOS algorithms
while co-existing in a converged network environment, with simultaneous
preserving of the different service characteristics for real-time or
high-priority traffic and providing differentiated bandwidth allocation
while achieving maximal link utilization--all through a fine and balanced
control as to which type of traffic is transmitted on the link for a
given duration, and how much of that traffic is transmitted on the link.