A routing module applies a plurality of routing rules simultaneously to
determine routing for a Fibre Channel frame. Each rule independently
determines whether the rule applies to the frame as well as a routing
result for the frame. The routing result includes a port address, a
zoning indicator, and a priority designation that can be used to route
the frame over a virtual channel in an interswitch link. A selector
chooses between the results returned by the rules. A component receives
routing results specifying an ISL group and selects a physical ISL for
the frame. An in-band priority determined by the content of the frame
header can also be used in place of the priority designation in the
routing result.