IP switch, interface circuit and ATM switch used for IP switch, and IP switch network system

Abstract

A packet communication apparatus is provided having a receiving port which receives first packets. A switch, switches the first packets received at the receiving port. A first packet transform section, receives, through the switch section, the first packets received by the receiving port, and assembles the first packets into a second packet. A packet processing section processes the second packet transformed from the first packets by the first packet transform section. A second packet transform section disassembles the second packet, processed by the packet processing section, into the first packets and sends the first packets to the switch. A sending port receives the first packets sent from the second packet transform section through the switch, and sends the first packets.

1 . A packet communication apparatus comprising: 
 a receiving port which receives first packets;    a switch which switches the first packets received at the receiving port;    a first packet transform section which receives, through the switch section, the first packets received by the receiving port, and assembles the first packets into a second packet;    a packet processing section which processes the second packet transformed from the first packets by the first packet transform section;    a second packet transform section which disassembles the second packet processed by the packet processing section into the first packets and sends the first packets to the switch; and    a sending port which receives the first packets sent from the second packet transform section through the switch, and sends the first packets.    
     
     
         2 . A packet communication apparatus to  claim 1 , wherein the packet communication apparatus comprises: 
 a plurality of receiving ports; and    a plurality of sending ports.    
     
     
         3 . A packet communication apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first packets are ATM cells.