Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a routing network comprising one or more nodes, at least one of which executes a process that routes received messages—and/or the digital data packets that make them up—to downstream nodes (i.e., further routing nodes or terminal nodes, within or outside or off the network) based on directives maintained in a routing table or other store (“routing table”) local to or otherwise associated with the receiving node. That node is responsive to interrupts or other notifications received from a control module with which it is in communications coupling for updating those directives with information supplied with that notification or otherwise available in connection therewith. As subsequent messages are received by the node, the process routes them to downstream nodes based on those updated directives.