A method for preventing out-of-ordering of frames in a network switch, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a first portion of a string of packets from a source port on a first port, transferring the first portion of the string of packets to a second port for transmission to a destination, and sending an indicator from the first port to the second port. The method further includes the steps of receiving the indicator at the second port, sending a response indicator from the second port to the first port, and receiving a second portion of the string of packets from the source port on a third port. Additionally, a method for preventing out-of-ordering of frames in network switch, wherein the method includes receiving packets on a first ingress port from a source port, transmitting the packets from the first ingress port to an egress port for transmission to a destination, and determining to switch the receiving of the packets to a second ingress port. The method further includes the steps of sending a switch indicator from the first ingress port to the egress port, determining when to send a response switch indicator from the egress port to the first ingress port, sending the response switch indicator from the egress port to the first ingress port, forwarding the response switch indicator to the source port, and switching the receiving of the packets to the second ingress port.