Method and Apparatus for Transferring Data Packets Between a First Network and a Second Network

A node arrangement for coupling a first network to a second network, the node arrangement comprising:

• at least two primary nodes connected by respective inter-node ports;
• each primary node arranged to connect to the first network using a respective first port, each primary node being arranged to connect to a secondary node coupled to the second network using respective second ports, wherein the respective second ports of each primary node are arranged into respective link aggregation groups;
• and
• each primary node being further arranged to switch packets from the first to the second network using the respective second ports or the inter-node port to the other primary node dependent on a service identifier associated with each said packet.

A system for coupling a first network to a second network, the system comprising:

• a first node arrangement in communication with the first network;
• a second node arrangement in communication with the second network;
• the first node arrangement comprising at least two primary nodes connected by respective inter-node ports, each primary node arranged to connect to the first network using a respective first port;
• the second node arrangement comprising a secondary node arranged to connect to the second network;
• wherein each primary node comprises respective second ports arranged to connect to the secondary node, wherein the respective second ports of each primary node are arranged into respective link aggregation groups;
• and
• wherein each primary node is further arranged to switch packets from the first to the second network using the respective second ports or the inter-node port to the other primary node dependent on a service identifier associated with each said packet.