Intelligent selection of multicast filtering modes for switch ports
US6324575A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/185
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for intelligently selecting the multicast filtering mode of a port in a switch. In one embodiment the present invention determines whether a client is coupled to a port of a switch. In such an embodiment, provided that a client is coupled to the port, the present invention monitors the client to determine if the client is 802.1p compliant. Next, in this embodiment, provided that the client is 802.1p compliant, the present invention automatically selects a Filter Unregistered Groups mode for the port to which the client is coupled. Conversely, if the client is not 802.1p compliant, the present invention selects a Forward All Groups mode for the port to which the client is coupled. In so doing, the present invention intelligently selects the optimal multicast filter mode for a switch and its connected clients. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for expensive, time-consuming, and error-prone network administrator intervention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.