Fast packet technology for intelligent network applications

The message transport network (MTN), a high-capacity message switch based on fast-packet technology, is described. In its initial form it has 32 nodes that can be simultaneously interconnected at a 32 Mb/s rate through a nonblocking matrix. In its full configuration it can interconnect 128 nodes at an aggregate rate of 2.5 million packets per second. Redundancy, fault detection and isolation, and maintenance features, facilitate achieving the desired availability and maintainability. The modular architecture of the MTN permits cost-effective solutions for a wide range of applications found in telephony