Port extender with local switching
US10469382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2018 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/35
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching system comprises a controlling switch and multiple port extenders. The controlling switch includes: a plurality of controlling switch ports; and a first packet processor having a first forwarding engine. The first forwarding engine is configured to forward packets received at any controlling switch port to any other controlling switch port. Each of at least some multiple port extenders includes: at least one local upstream port coupled to the controlling switch directly or via another port extender; a plurality of local downstream ports; and a second packet processor having a second forwarding engine and a forwarding database. The second forwarding engine is configured to forward packets i) received at the downstream ports, and ii) for which the forwarding database does not include forwarding information, only to the at least one upstream port. The second packet processor has reduced functionality as compared to the first packet processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.