Network element comprising a switch fabric

Switch fabrics (10) comprise first stages (11) for receiving multicast input signals (A-C) and second stages (12) for in response to the input signals generating output signals. The switch fabrics (10) are coupled to detectors (31) for detecting parameters indicating conditions of the second stages (12) per output signal and for generating detection results per output signal, and are coupled to controllers (21) for, in response to the detection results, controlling the second stages (12) per output signal. Such switch fabrics (10) handle output congestion in a more individual way. In case of one part of the second stage (12) being congested, the copying of the multicast input signals (A-C) into output signals and their internal transmission no longer need to be ceased. Only one of the output signals corresponding with the congested part of the second stage (12) cannot be delivered. Further detectors (32) detect further input signals (A-C) comprising segments of the same protocol data unit as the input signals (A-C).