Patent ID: 7075937
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A sending method of sending a data packet from a source node to a destination node through a switching network, the data packet including user data and additional data, said method comprising the steps of: determining a routing header defining a path to be followed on the network by the data packet, wherein the determining step is performed independently of the transmission mode of the data packet, connected or non-connected, selecting a virtual channel representing a connection between the source node and the destination node; and sending data packet with additional data, said additional data comprising the routing header, the selected virtual channel and an identifier of the source node, wherein the combination of the virtual channel and the source node identifier makes the connection unique in the switching network, and wherein data representing at least one of the virtual channel and the source node identifier allows the destination node to determine the transmission mode of the data packet, connected or non-connected.