a system and method that controls node congestion in a packet switching network by allowing the congested node to seize control of transmission on the packet switching network and not relinquishing control until it has drained its buffer of the backlog of packets . in response to the node &# 39 ; s buffer reaching a predetermined occupancy level , the node requests from the network &# 39 ; s arbiter for exclusive transmission rights on the network . when the node receives transmission rights , the node continues to process packets in the buffer . when the occupancy of the buffer reaches a second predetermined threshold , the node releases the transmission right , and thus permits other nodes to transmit packets to it again .