Patent ID: 6959151

Claim:
A method of operation a node ( 3 a – 3 g ) in a communications network ( 1 ), the node ( 3 a – 3 g ) having an input and an output with a continuous flow transmission path therebetween, the continuous flow transmission path including a transmission medium, the method including the steps of: (a) receiving an optical packet at the node ( 3 a – 3 g ); (b) copying the packet such that there is a first packet and a second packet, the first and second packets being duplicates of one another; (c) reading at least part of the first packet to determine if (i) the packet is a transit packet and if (ii) the packet is a high priority packet (d) if the first packet is determined to be a transit packet having a high priority, then outputting the second packet from the node via the continuous flow transmission path; and, (e) if the first packet is determined to be a transit packet not having a high priority, placing the first packet in a queue for later transmission and objecting the second packet from the transmission medium.