Packet transfer control method and node device using plurality of dedicated cut-through paths

Abstract

A packet transfer control method and a node device which are capable of providing a dedicated cut-through path for a specific end-to-end packet flow, while reducing a time required until the cut-through path is established, so as to be able to reduce the load of the address analysis processing at the router. One node belonging to one logical network stores an information indicating an existence of a first dedicated virtual path for transferring packet flows specified by a first condition, which is capable of transferring packets without applying a network layer processing up to another node belonging to another logical network, and the communicates an identifier information for identifying a second dedicated virtual path for transferring a packet flow specified by a second condition which is more specific than the first condition by utilizing the first dedicated virtual path, and a condition information for indicating the second condition, in order to set up the second dedicated virtual path up to a termination point node of the first dedicated virtual path or a further downstream side node, between that one node and the termination point node.