Private VLANs
US6741592B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/4641
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention uses a layer 2 switch (L2 switch), or bridge, to separate user's message traffic by use of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) defined within the switch. Three new types of ports are defined, “promiscuous” ports “isolated” ports, and “community” ports. Three types of VLANs internal to the switch are defined, “primary” VLANs, “isolated” VLANs and “community” VLANs. The promiscuous ports are connected to layer 3 or layer 4 devices. Isolated ports and community ports are connected to individual user's servers, etc., and maintain traffic for each user separate from other users. The primary VLAN connects to all promiscuous ports, to all isolated ports, and to all community ports. The primary VLAN is a one way connection from promiscuous ports to isolated or community ports. An isolated VLAN connects to all promiscuous ports and to all isolated ports. The isolated VLAN is a one way connection from an isolated port to the promiscuous ports. A community VLAN is defined as connecting to a group of community ports, and also connecting to all of the promiscuous ports. The group of community ports is referred…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.