Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing transmission of data packets with a greater intensity than a given value assigned to each channel on any one of a number of channels on a common transmission link. A variable counter value (r) is associated with each channel. This counter value is increased for a given channel by a predetermined value (I) when a data packet arrives at this channel. The counter values (r) for all channels are decreased at uniform intervals by a value (d), which is less than the predetermined value (I). Data packets arriving at a channel, the counter value (r) of which exceeds a given limiting value (C), are rejected.

Abstract: A packet data switch for transferring data packets including an address part and an information part from one of a plurality of incoming data links (10,30,50) to one or more outgoing data links (22, 42, 62) and supplying new address information for each data packet on the outgoing links. The selector includes a separate memory means (e.g. 13) for each incoming data link (10, 30, 50) and a separate memory means (e.g. 20) for each outgoing data link (22, 42, 62). The memory means assigned to the incoming data links send control signals for selective writing of a data packet into one or more buffer registers (e.g. 19) which are each assigned to an outgoing link (e.g. 22). The memory means assigned to the outgoing links supply the new address information for the data packets to the outgoing links.