Network switch using a steering header for management frames
US7668203B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/4641
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network device, and corresponding method and computer program, comprises a plurality of ports; wherein one of the ports is configured to receive frames of data each comprising a steering header comprising a flooding mask that identifies one or more of the ports, and a management bit that when set indicates the frame of data is a management frame; wherein, for each frame received by the one of the ports, the one of the ports removes the steering header from the frame and, when the management bit is set, identifies the frame as a management frame and directs the frame to one or more of the ports based only on the flooding mask; and wherein each of the ports can operate in a blocked state that permits only frames of data identified as management frames to pass through the port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.