1. A packet data communications network comprising: a first network segment having a plurality of stations, one of said stations sending a message packet onto said first network segment of a first format; said first format including a first header and a data field with network destination address in said communications network; a first network transfer device having an input connected to said first network segment to receive said message packet and having an output; the first network transfer device applying a second header to said message packet, said second header including a switching address translated from said destination address, said second header further including local status information and a plurality of status fields to indicate a message packet servicing; a switching device having a plurality of ports, a first of said ports being connected to said output of said first network transfer device; the switching device receiving said message packet with said second header and sending said message packet with said second header to a second port as selected by said switching address, and in response to said local status information and the plurality of status fields; a second network transfer device having an input connected to said second of said ports of said switching device and having an output connected to a second network segment, the second network transfer device receiving said message packet via said switching device to forward to said second network segment; the second network transfer device removing said second header from said message packet.