A Distributed Packet Switch for use in a Network

摘要

The invention provides a distributed packet switch and method to control data packet flows in a network, said switch comprising means for operating over an asynchronous burst optical closed fibre medium; and at least one control system is provided at a node to control data packet flow characteristics, configured to operate dependent on at least one efficiency parameter. The invention uses burst switching technology to build a distributed packet switch to interconnect packet service edge devices with core devices in the network in a manner such that the flows of packets are directly groomed and aggregated within the optical transmission medium. The advantage of this arrangement is that heretofore no distributed packet switch operating over an asynchronous burst mode and comprising a control system dependent on an efficiency parameter has