Exchange for changing a route of a transmission path to bypass a malfunctioning switch

Abstract

An exchange changes a route of a transmission path to bypass a malfunctioning switch. The transmission path is formed in a switch network including a plurality of switches for transmitting communication information. The switch network is provided with a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs so that the transmission path is formed between one of the inputs and one of the outputs by routing the switches in the switch network. A malfunctioning switch detecting unit detects a location of the malfunctioning switch in the switch network. The route of the transmission path is changed by switching one of the inputs and outputs connected to the transmission path based on predetermined routing information which indicates a route to bypass the malfunctioning switch in relation to the inputs or the outputs of the switch network.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exchange setting a transmission path for transmitting communication information through a switch network comprising a plurality of switches, said switch network provided with a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs so that the transmission path is formed between one of the inputs and one of the outputs by routing the switches in said switch network, said exchange changing a route of the transmission path when a malfunction occurs in one of the switches included in the transmission path so as to bypass the malfunctioning switch, said exchange comprising: 
 a malfunctioning switch detecting unit detecting a location of the malfunctioning switch in said switch network; and    changing means for changing the route of the transmission path by switching one of the inputs and outputs connected to the transmission path based on predetermined routing information so as to bypass the malfunctioning switch.    
     
     
         2 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said changing means comprises: 
 a storing unit which stores table information indicating a plurality of routes each of which bypasses one of the switches in said switch network, each of the routes being indicated in relation to one of the inputs and outputs of the switch network; and    a selecting unit selecting one of the routes indicated in said table information so as to change the route of the transmission path to bypass the malfunctioning switch.    
     
     
         3 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said changing means further comprises: 
 an input switching unit switching the input of said switch network;    an output switching means switching the output of said switch network; and    input and output selecting means for selecting one of said input switching unit and said output switching unit so that said changing means changes the route of the transmission path by the selected one of said input switching unit and said output switching unit.    
     
     
         4 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said input and output selecting means selects said input switching unit when the malfunctioning switch is one of the switches directly connected to said input switching unit.  
     
     
         5 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said input and output selecting means selects said output switching unit when the malfunctioning switch is one of the switches directly connected to said output switching unit.  
     
     
         6 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said input and output selecting means selects said input switching unit when the malfunctioning switch is one of the switches other than the switches directly connected to one of said input switching unit and said output switching unit.  
     
     
         7 . The exchange as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said input and output selecting means selects said output switching unit when the malfunctioning switch is one of the switches other than the switches directly connected to one of said input switching unit and said output switching unit.