MULTICASTING IN A FPS SWITCH

摘要

A system and network are disclosed for providing multicasting capability within a packet switched network, such as FPS or ATM. Each packet's header includes a type indicator bit or bits. One form of type indicator indicates normal port to port switching: a second form indicates switching to a single port, and then to each of a set of outputs defined by the address portion of the header via a separate connection. Contention is thereby reduced in the switching fabric itself.