A network switch and associated method of operation for establishing a low latency transmission path through the network which bypasses the packet queue and scheduler of the switch fabric. The network switch transmits each of a plurality of data packets to the identified destination egress port over the low latency transmission if the data packet is identified to be transmitted over the low latency transmission path from the ingress port to the destination egress port, and transmits the data packet to the destination egress port through the packet queue and scheduler if the data packet is not identified to be transmitted over the low latency transmission path from the ingress port to the destination egress ports.