Protocol for communicating data between packet forwarding devices via an intermediate network interconnect device
US5974467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/46
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A message exchange protocol for interconnecting packet forwarding devices through an intermediate network interconnect device is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for communicating data between packet forwarding devices. The presence of an interconnect device that is coupled between a first packet forwarding device and a second packet forwarding device is detected by recognizing a configuration sequence, for example. After the link between the interconnect device and the first packet forwarding device is established, the first packet forwarding device receives a command from the interconnect device requesting the types of data that are pending on the first packet forwarding device. Responsive to the command, the first packet forwarding device transmits a "menu" including information indicating the availability of one or more types of data that are awaiting transmission to the interconnect device. An "order" is received by the first packet forwarding device from the interconnect device. The order includes information identifying a type of data being requested by the interconnect device. Responsive to the order, the first packet forwardi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.