Intelligent network topology and configuration verification using a method of loop detection
US6857027B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/46
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for detecting and preventing bridge loops in a relatively low cost bridge module designed for installation in a network hub. The bridge operates to monitor an intra-hub communication path of the network hub to detect bridge protocol data units transmitted by a switching fabric within the network hub. The bridge module stores a MAC source address of a bridge protocol data unit detected on the intra-hub communications path, and forwards the bridge protocol data unit through its external communication ports to respective network segments. The bridge module monitors its external communication ports for any data unit having a destination address matching a bridge multicast address. When a data unit having a destination address matching the bridge multicast address is detected, the bridge module compares the MAC source address of that data unit to the previously stored MAC source address from the bridge protocol data unit detected on the intra-hub communication path. In the event that the MAC source address of the data unit detected on the external communication port matches the previously stored MAC source address, the bridge module disables operation o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.