packet switching network for multiple packet types.

摘要

A packet switching arrangement for receiving packets including broadcast addresses and connecting representations of the received packets to any combination of output ports specified in the address is disclosed. The packet routing units of the network both generate packet representations and selectively connect the representations to downstream routing units or network outputs. Packets for use with the network comprise an address portion encoded in a broadcast format or in a shorter point-to-point format and an address type character identifying the type of address in the address portion. The nodes of the network respond to the address type character of a received packet by selecting the appropriate decoding format for the packet address portion. A packet select unit decodes the address portion in accordance with the selected decoding format and selectively connects the packet to the network outputs.