US Patent 7133357 Cell switch module with unit cell switching function

A cell switch module having a unit cell switching function and placeable in either an active state or a standby state. The module comprises a plurality of input ports for inputting cells thereto, a plurality of output ports for outputting cells therefrom, and a cell switching controller to execute such control that, in response to an active/standby switching instruction, a decision is made as to whether the input cell is a specific first cell or not, and if the input cell is detected to be the first cell in the active state, any subsequent cell inputted thereafter is not switched, but if the input cell is detected to be the first cell in the standby state, any subsequent cell inputted thereafter is switched.