Bridge-like internet protocol router
May 3, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesBridge circuit for interconnecting networks Interconnection of communications networks Router unit and routing network for determining an output port by detecting a part of an input packet Interconnection of broadcast networks Method and apparatus for bridging local area networks Bridging techniques for local area networks Local area network bridge Circuit switching network with routing nodes Bridge system for connecting networks Distributed load sharing InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 546619 filed on 06/29/1990US Classes:370/401, Bridge or gateway between networks340/825.02, Tree or cascade370/408, Nodes interconnected in hierarchy to form a tree709/249MULTIPLE NETWORK INTERCONNECTINGExaminersPrimary: Olms, Douglas W.Assistant: Ton, Dang Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassH04J 003/02AbstractA device and related method for coupling segments of an extended local area network (LAN) in such a way that message traffic employing inter-network protocols such as TCP/IP will be handled without the difficulties usually associated with bridges, and without the complexity and expense of full IP router capability. The device operates like a bridge for non-TCP/IP traffic. For TCP/IP traffic it operates in a bridge-like manner but maintains a database associating extended LAN segment addresses with port numbers in the device, so that packets can be automatically forwarded over a spanning tree connecting the network segments. A host computer in any network segment can address others in different network segments of the extended LAN as though all were in a single LAN. The device of the invention functions to block the flow of ARP messages and to generate ARP replies that render the device of the invention transparent to hosts within the extended LAN. The device is also transparent to true IP routers, which may still be used to effect communication with points outside the extended LAN.Other References
Field of SearchTree or cascade | |
