Data switching apparatus.

摘要

A data switch interconnects a number of data processing nodes. The switch includes a number of port units for interfacing with the processing nodes, a number of multiplexing units for performing the switching, and a connection control unit. When a port unit wishes to initiate a connection, it sends a connection command over a command bus to all the multiplexing units and to the connection control unit, specifying a proposed data connection. Each multiplexing unit responds to the connection command by preparing the proposed data connection. At the same time, the connection control unit checks whether the proposed data connection is permissible. If it is permissible, the connection control unit then sends a GO signal to all the multiplexing units instructing them to complete the prepared connection. <IMAGE>