Abstract: Disclosed is arrangement (101, 102, 110) for routing data packets designated for a particular destination (103) from a packet switch (114) through a circuit switch (120). The packet switch includes a plurality of output links (152, 153) connected to the circuit switch and a memory (209) for storing the identity of the output links designated for use to a particular destination. The circuit switch has a plurality of channels (190) to the particular destination and a switching network (121) for interconnecting an equal number of the channels and the designated output links. Included in the arrangement is a circuit allocator (110) that monitors the use of each of the designated links.