An apparatus transfers a data signal along a transmission route that is set by a route determination device. The apparatus includes a data transmission unit and a controller. The data transmission unit receives the data signal from an upstream node adjacent to the apparatus in an upstream direction of the data signal along the transmission route, and transfers the data signal to a downstream node adjacent to the apparatus in a downstream direction of the data signal along the transmission route. The controller controls power supply to the data transmission unit, and transmits a route-reconfiguration instruction for reconfiguring the transmission route, to the route determination device, upon receiving, when power supply to the data transmission unit is stopped, from the route determination device, a path-creation request for requesting creation of a path on the transmission route.