Patent ID: 6278709
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H03M,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of routing a message packet from an input to at least one of a plurality of outputs of a routing switch, the message packet including a header indicative of the at least one of the plurality of outputs of the routing switch to which the message packet is to be routed, the method comprising the steps of:storing in a first storage circuit of a routing switch a plurality of sets of routing information, each set being associated with a predetermined value of the header;accessing a stored set of routing information in dependence on the header of the message packet to be routed;accessing a second storage circuit responsive to the stored set of routing information, said second storage circuit holding a plurality of sets of grouping information, each set being associated with one output of the routing switch, wherein for each output the set of grouping information groups other outputs of the routing switch which are additionally suitable for transmitting any message packet which may be transmitted on that output; androuting the message packet to the at least one of the plurality of outputs in dependence on the accessed set of routing information, wherein the routing switch has a plurality of outputs suitable for outputting the message packet, the method further comprising the step of routing the message packet to any one of a group of suitable outputs if the accessed set of routing information indicates that the message packet is to be routed to a particular one of the plurality of outputs.