A MULTI-PATH NETWORK

摘要

The present invention provides a multi-path network for use in a bridge, switch, router, hub or the like, the multi-path network including a plurality of network ports; a plurality of network elements; and a plurality of network links interconnecting the network elements and the network ports for transporting data packets, each network element including a fault monitor for detecting faults on the network links to which the network element is connected, a plurality of dynamically selectable output ports and output port selection mechanism and each network element being adapted to communicate the existence of a fault back to one or more other network elements via which network elements the faulty network link can be bypassed, and each network element being adapted to update the output port selection mechanism when communication of the existence of a fault is received so that only output ports which ensure the faulty network link is bypassed are dynamically selectable. Also provided is a method of managing faults in a multi-path network.