Data packet switching unit associated with a communication node of a network of computers uses intermediate port and associated storage device to avoid making switching unit congested

摘要

The data switching unit (26) associated with a node (20) has a number of intermediate ports (70,80,90,100) disposed between input/output ports of a first (40,50,60) and second (C) type, a port of the second type being able to support an internal connection to the node. At least one storage device is associated with each port, and a device (A) transfers a packet between at least one so-called input port and at least one so-called output port and uses at least one intermediate port and its associated storage device.