Packet forwarding node

摘要

A packet forwarding node of a transport network performs a first packet forwarding mode in which received packets are processed and forwarded on a per-packet basis. The forwarding node performs a second packet forwarding mode when the node identifies a group of consecutive packets. The group of packets are destined for the same destination node of the transport network. The second packet forwarding mode comprises determining a forwarding treatment for the group of packets and forwarding the group of packets with the determined treatment. The forwarding is performed without processing the headers of at least some of the packets in the group. The group of consecutive packets is identified by a control packet preceding the group or by inter-packet signalling which indicates that the packet before the inter-packet signalling and the packet after the inter-packet signalling are to be treated as part of the same group. Packets which are determined to be received on transit channels can be forwarded without processing headers of individual packets.

主权项

1. A method of forwarding packets at a packet forwarding node of a transport network, each packet having a header, the method comprising:
performing a first packet forwarding mode comprising receiving packets and, for each packet, processing the header of the packet to determine a forwarding treatment for the packet and then forwarding the packet; and performing a second packet forwarding mode when the node identifies a group of consecutive packets, the group being destined for the same destination node of the transport network, the second packet forwarding mode comprising determining a forwarding treatment for the group of packets and forwarding the group of packets with the determined treatment and, for at least a sub-set of the group of packets, the forwarding is performed without processing the headers of the sub-set of packets, wherein the group of consecutive packets is identified by inter-packet signalling which indicates that the packet before the inter-packet signalling and the packet after the inter-packet signalling are to be treated as part of the same group.