A data communication switch receives packets having first priorities, generates
second priorities as a function of the first priorities, prioritizes selected ones
of the plurality of packets as a function of the second priorities and transmits
the plurality of packets having the second priorities. The first priorities may
be inbound Std. 802.1Q tag priorities and the second priorities may be regenerated
Std. 802.1Q tag priorities. Priority selection may be communicated in the switch
through the expedient of packet marking. Marks may be instantiated in the packets
prior to subjecting the packets to prioritization on the switch and removed from
the packets prior to transmitting the packets from the switch. The switch may be
arranged to prioritize selected ones of 802.1Q-complaint tagged packets based on
a tag priority while preserving tag priority signaling for all such tagged packets.
