Patent ID: 7477662
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a data switch, the method comprising: providing a data switch having a plurality of input/output ports and a switching engine, the plurality of input/output ports and the switching engine each including at least one associated module which is operable to receive and pass on data packets, the switching engine being configured to selectively direct each incoming data packet to one or more of the output ports based on address information in the data packet, and turning off and on the at least one module associated with at least one of the plurality of input/output ports and the switching engine based only on whether data packets are passing through the data switch, the at least one module associated with the at least one of the plurality of input/output ports and the switching engine being further associated with a respective one of a plurality of logic circuits which registers handshake signals transmitted to that module from one or more other modules of the switch, the handshake signals being indicative of the presence of data packets passing through the switch, the respective one of the plurality of logic circuits being arranged to turn on its associated module based on the handshake signals.