Router using multiple hop redirect messages to enable bridge like data forwarding
March 19, 2013. 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 References Re33426 Routing architecture for a multi-ring local area network Bridging techniques for local area networks Bridge system for connecting networks Method and apparatus for interfacing to a local area network Distributed load sharing Communication system Switching element for self-routing multistage packet-switching interconnection networks Network adapter for connecting local area network to backbone network Group address translation through a network bridge InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 716027 filed on 06/14/1991US Classes:370/401Bridge or gateway between networksExaminersPrimary: Olms, Douglas W.Assistant: Nguyen, Chau Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesH04J 003/02H04J 003/24 AbstractAn apparatus for forwarding a data packet from a first link to a second link is disclosed. The apparatus is coupled with a plurality of computer networks through ports on the apparatus. The apparatus maintains a spanning tree list indicating which of the apparatus ports are active. The apparatus receives a packet, and determines if the packet was received from a port that is active. If the packet was received from a port that is not active, the packet is discarded. If the packet is not discarded, the data link source address of the packet is stored in a database within the apparatus for the computer network coupled with the port from which the packet was received. The apparatus then decides, responsive to a contents of a data link destination address field in the packet, whether to forward the packet as a bridge or to forward the packet as a router. If the apparatus forwards the packet as a router, the apparatus sends a redirect message to update the data link layer destination address used by the originating station to contain the data link layer address of the destination station where the destination station is on a link remote from the link of the originating station. For the subsequent packets the apparatus then behaves as a bridge by forwarding the subsequent packets based upon parsing of only the Data Link Header. For forwarding of subsequent packets, the apparatus is advantageously fast, in accordance with bridge operation.Other References
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