Method and apparatus for hardware forwarding of LAN frames over ATM networks
US6064674A · kind A · utility
80Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/4608
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiported LAN switch comprised of legacy local area network ports and ATM ports. Each ATM port comprising a hardware forwarding engine for bridging LAN frames from the LAN ports to the ATM port. The hardware forwarding engine converts layer 2 protocols between the dissimilar ports expediently, without requiring intervention by a microprocessor. A substantial performance gain is attained compared to microprocessor controlled format converters. Both LAN emulation and virtual LANs are supported.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.