Patent ID: 6317431
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of transmitting a data-carrying datagram across a network in a connectionless manner, wherein the network has an input interface, an output interface, and a plurality of intermediate nodes for routing cells between the input interface and the output interface, each intermediate node being operable to route a cell in any one of a plurality of directions, and wherein the datagram has a header with routing information carried therein for routing the datagram, the method comprising the steps of, at the input interface of the network:(a) decomposing the datagram into a cell structure having a series of cells, the series of cells including a first cell and at least on other cell, each cell in the series having a payload for storing data; and(b) mapping into the payload of the first cell at least part of the routing information carried in the header of the datagram, at least part of the data carried by the datagram being distributed into the payloads of the other cells(s):and, at an intermediate node of the network:(c) reading the routing information in the payload of the first cell; and(d) routing the first cell and the other cell(s) of the cell structure, the routing of the first cell and the routing of the other cell(s) being determined in response to the routing information read from the first cell, such that the first cell and the other cell(s) are routed along the same direction at the intermediate node.