Abstract: A communications network including a server having multiple entry ports and a plurality of workstations dynamically balances inbound and outbound to/from the server thereby reducing network latency and increasing network throughput. Workstations send data packets including network destination addresses to a network switch. A header is prepended to the data packet, the header identifying a switch output or destination port for transmitting the data packet to the network destination address. The network switch transfers the data packet from the switch input port to the switch destination output port whereby whenever the switch receives a data packet with the server address, the data packet is routed to any available output port of the switch that is connected to a Network Interface Card in the server. The switch includes circuitry for removing the routing header prior to the data packet exiting the switch.

Abstract: A LAN switch architecture has a hybrid switch fabric which combines crossbar and time division multiplexed bus architecture and allows next-available transmit channel routing and associative output-port routing. The LAN switch architecture has multiple port groups with multiple device ports, a switching fabric for facilitating communication between device ports in different port groups and a controller for controlling the switching fabric. Each of the multiple port groups comprises a communication channel for interconnecting the port group to the switching fabric.

Abstract: A communications including a server having multiple entry ports and a plurality of workstations dynamically balances inbound and outbound to/from the server thereby reducing network latency and increasing network throughput. Workstations send data packets including network destination addresses to a network switch. A header is prepended to the data packet, the header identifying a switch output or destination port for transmitting the data packet to the network destination address. The network switch transfers the data packet from the switch input port to the switch destination output port whereby whenever the switch receives a data packet with the server address, the data packet is routed to any available output port of the switch that is connected to a Network Interface Card in the server. The switch includes circuity for removing the routing header prior to the data packet exiting the switch.