High-speed data transfer system and method

A data transfer method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a message at a first of a plurality of nodes in a network and retrieving from a memory forwarding data associated with the message. The method also includes, if a destination for the message is not a designated distributor, sending the message and at least a portion of the forwarding data through a switching fabric to a second of the plurality of nodes in response to the forwarding data, else if the destination for the message is the designated distributor, sending the message to the designated distributor through the switching fabric. The method also includes sending the message from the designated distributor through the fabric to a plurality of destinations in the network using the forwarding data. In a particular embodiment, the forwarding data may include a bit mask.