Group restart for scalable switched ATM networks

The present invention relates to group restart in switched ATM networks. In accordance a method of one embodiment of the present invention, a first network switch receives a message (e.g., a call setup message) at one of a plurality of interfaces to the first network switch. This first network switch reads data (e.g., a group identifier) contained in the message. In response, the first network switch generates first modified data as a function of both the data of the message and first interface identifier data. The first interface identifier data corresponds to or identifies the interface at which the first network switch received the message. The first network switch replaces the data in the message with the first modified data thereby creating a first modified message. Lastly, the first network switch outputs the first modified message from another of the plurality of interfaces.