Patent attributes
The present invention relates to a node which is used in the structure of an optical communication network. This node has a signal transmission function for performing data transfer and a signal receiving function for performing data signal reception, and includes a unit for establishing and releasing a cut through path to a next stage node. Moreover, it includes a unit for detecting the arrival of a leading packet of burst data, and the unit for establishing and releasing the cut through path includes a unit for establishing a cut through path to the next stage node, when the arrival of a leading packet of burst data is detected by the leading packet arrival detection unit.