Abstract: A communication method and self-routing switching network interconnecting a plurality of interface controllers for communicating packets and circuit switched information via multiple paths within the self-routing switching network. The latter comprises stages of switch nodes that are grouped into pairs. The stages are interconnected by links and each pair of switch nodes shares the same set of input links from the preceding stage. In response to receipt of address information from a destination interface controller transmitted via a link, a pair of nodes determines one of a multitude of paths through the switching network by one of the pair responding to the address information to communicate the address information to the next sequential stage after establishing a path through that particular switch node.