Network switch with a multiple bus structure and a bridge interface for transferring network data between different buses
US6098110A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S370/911
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network switch including a plurality of first network ports, a plurality of second network ports, a first bus, a second bus and a bridge interface coupled between the first and second buses. The first ports receive and transmit network data according to a first network protocol and the second ports receive and transmit network data according to a second network protocol. The first and second buses operate according to different bus standards. The bridge interface enables data transfer between the first and second buses and thus between the networks operating at different protocols. The switch includes a switch manager that controls the flow of network data and a processor for performing supervisory and control functions. The bridge interface includes receive buffers and transmit buffers assigned to respective ports. During packet data transfer operations across the first bus, the bridge interface emulates a first network port. During packet data transfer operations across the second bus, the bridge interface primarily acts as a slave to the second network ports by storing control lists for execution by the second network ports. This processor is relieved of performing necessary o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.