The system uses automatic learning to obtain 'perfect switching' in its fully-distributed network configuration. Thus, it is less vulnerable to enemy attack than conventional networks. Internet communications are controlled by routers which switch data from one network to another at the crossing points.
Routers are specialized computers dedicated to receiving and forwarding network packets.
When one computer communicates with another computer, it puts the other computer's IP address on each packet and sends it to the closest router. The router then uses a routing algorithm to send the packet to the destination computer. A router is typically connected to several different networks. Each building typically has one router for connection to the wide area Internet itself. The traffic statistics section provides near real-time data on the communications traffic across major routing points.