In one embodiment, a method of photonic frame scheduling includes receiving, by a photonic switching fabric from a top of rack (TOR) switch, a frame request requesting a time slot for switching an optical frame to an output port of a photonic switch of the photonic switching fabric and determining whether the output port of the photonic switch is available during the time slot, and generating a contention signal including a grant or a rejection, in accordance with the determining. Also, the method includes assigning the time slot to the TOR switch for the output port of the photonic switch, when the contention signal includes the grant, transmitting, by the photonic switching fabric to the TOR switch, the contention signal and receiving, by the photonic switching fabric from the TOR switch, the optical frame during the time slot, when the contention signal includes the grant.