Method and apparatus for implementing forwarding decision shortcuts at a network switch
US6147993A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/354
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A shortcut technique implements forwarding decision shortcuts at a switch for frames routed between subnetworks of a computer network. The switch monitors the flow of a first frame of a particular type to and from the router, which renders a forwarding decision for routing the frame. The switch records information stored in network layer header of a packet encapsulated within the first frame, and then compares that information with the information stored in network layer headers of packets contained within subsequent frames of that particular type. Forwarding decisions for these subsequent frames are then rendered by hardware logic circuits of the switch rather than by the router.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.