Patent ID: 7000026
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A source node having a plurality of multi-channel links connecting to core nodes in a network, each of said multi-channel links comprising a respective plurality of channels, said source node operable to: determine, for each multi-channel link in said plurality of multi-channel links: retain, in a control table, an identifier of a last-used channel in each of said multi-channel links for each data stream from among a plurality of data steams originating from said source node; receive a data unit belonging to a particular data stream from among said data streams; select a particular multi-channel link from among said plurality of multi-channel links according to a desired distribution of data streams over the plurality of multi-channel links and according to said composite merit index of said each multi-channel link; ascertain, using said control table, a particular last-used channel by said particular data stream in said particular multi-channel link; and transmit said data unit over a particular channel in said particular multi-channel link, said particular channel bearing a logical relationship to said particular last-used channel.