Patent ID: 8289844

Claim:
A network comprising a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes comprising a first node and a second node, the first and second nodes being connected through the network of nodes via a first path and a second path, the first and second paths being different, in which the network has a first mode of operation a second mode of operation, and a third mode of operation, wherein in the first mode traffic between the first and second nodes is transmitted over the first path and not the second path, in the second mode traffic between the first and second nodes is transmitted over the first and second paths, and in the third mode traffic between the first and second nodes is sent over only the second path, and wherein the network comprises a mode selector arranged to: select between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation based upon a rate at which data to be transmitted between the first node and the second is received; and select the third mode of operation in response to a fault occurring on the first path.