Network switch with panic mode

Abstract

A switch is provided for use in a communications system for transmitting traffic from a first user to a second user. The first and the second users are interconnected by a primary communications path and a redundant communications path. The switch includes a first port configured to receive hello communications indicative of a proper operation of the primary communications path and a second port for receiving data communications. A switch control monitors the receipt of the hello communications, directs the forwarding of received data communications up to a threshold capacity and, if the received data communications exceed the threshold capacity, drops at least a portion of the received data communications such that forwarded data communications are below the threshold capacity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A switch for use in a communications system for transmitting traffic from a first user to a second user, the first and second users being interconnected by a primary communications path and a redundant communications path, comprising: 
 a first port configured to receive hello communications indicative of a proper operation of the primary communications path;    a second port configured to receive data communications; and    a switch control configured to monitor the receipt of the hello communications, to direct the forwarding of received data communications up to a threshold and, if the received data communications exceed the threshold, to drop at least a portion of the received data communications such that forwarded data communications are below the threshold.