A method and apparatus for providing cell bus management in a switch platform are provided. Each unidirectional FIFO buffer of a cell bus controller outputs a write port cell count from a write port. A cell count value is programmed at which the write port cell count is outputted. When the write port cell count indicates that the FIFO buffer can not accept additional data or cells, a master bidirectional FIFO unit ceases reading cells to a unidirectional FIFO buffer of the slave bidirectional FIFO unit in response to the write port cell count. Furthermore, the master bidirectional FIFO unit disables a corresponding switch from routing cells to the slave bidirectional FIFO unit in response to the write port cell count; the switch routes the cells to another of the slave bidirectional FIFO units. The master bidirectional FIFO unit resumes reading cells to the second unidirectional FIFO buffer of the slave bidirectional FIFO unit in response to a write port cell count indication that the FIFO buffer can accept additional data or cells. In response, the master bidirectional FIFO unit enables an associated switch to route cells to the slave bidirectional FIFO unit.