Method and apparatus for rapidly reconfiguring computer networks
December 24, 2017. 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 ReferencesUser to network interface protocol for packet communications networks Transparent load sharing for parallel networks Reconfiguration system and method for high-speed mesh connected local area network Utilization of redundant links in bridged networks Source routing transparent bridge Address translation mechanism for a high-performance network switch Interswitch link mechanism for connecting high-performance network switches Color blocking logic mechanism for a high-performance network switch Active topology maintenance in reconfiguring bridged local area networks with state transition with forgetting interval Patent #: 5790808 InventorsApplicationNo. 998412 filed on 12/24/1997US Classes:709/239, Alternate path routing340/2.1, Path selection340/825.02, Tree or cascade370/216, FAULT RECOVERY370/217, Bypass an inoperative switch or inoperative element of a switching system370/252, Determination of communication parameters370/256, Spanning tree370/351, PATHFINDING OR ROUTING379/221.03, Failure (e.g., disaster, overload, blockage)379/273, Alternate routing709/221, Reconfiguring709/224, Computer network monitoring709/238, COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER DATA ROUTING714/39, Monitor recognizes sequence of events (e.g., protocol or logic state analyzer)714/47Performance monitoring for fault avoidanceExaminersPrimary: Asta, Frank J.Assistant: Prieto, Beatriz Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesG06F 015/18G06F 013/00 AbstractA method that rapidly reconfigures a computer network having a plurality of devices executing the spanning tree algorithm. First, one or more devices are configured and arranged so that one port, providing connectivity to the root, is in the forwarding state and the remaining ports, providing connectivity to the root, are in the blocked state. Next, one or more of the blocked ports are designated as back-up ports. Upon detection of a failure at the active forwarding port, one of the back-up ports immediately transitions from blocked to forwarding, thereby becoming the new active port for the device. Following the transition to a new active port, dummy multicast messages are transmitted, each containing the source address of an entity directly coupled to the affected device or downstream thereof. By examining the dummy multicast messages, other devices in the network learn to use to the new forwarding port of the affected device. Rapid reconfiguration of the network is also provided upon detection of a new or repaired link or device representing a better path toward the root. The method is also compatible with networks supporting virtual local area network (VLAN) designations and allows load balancing among different VLANs.Other References
Field of SearchComputer network monitoringAlternate path routing Reconfiguring RECONFIGURATION (E.G., CHANGING SYSTEM SETTING) SELECTIVE FAULT RECOVERY PATHFINDING OR ROUTING Determination of communication parameters Having a plurality of nodes performing distributed switching Nodes interconnected in hierarchy to form a tree Bridge between bus systems Spanning tree Alternate routing Monitor recognizes sequence of events (e.g., protocol or logic state analyzer) Performance monitoring for fault avoidance | |
