A multi-layer class identifying communication apparatus, includes an input
interface connected to input communication lines; a switch circuit; and
an output interface connected to output communication lines. The input
interface comprises an allocating section which determines a class
identifier indicative of one of classes to which an IP packet belongs,
from header data of the IP packet received through one of the input
communication lines, and allocates an IP-QOS
(Internet-Protocol-Quality-of-Service) code to the IP packet. The switch
circuit selects one of the output communication lines based on a
destination address of the IP packet, such that the IP packet is
outputted from the output interface to the selected output communication
output interface.