Patent · US Active

Forwarding loop prevention apparatus and methods

US7860121B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
4References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 31, 2007
Grant dateDec 28, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 17, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L47/15
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Forwarding loop prevention apparatus and methods are provided. After a communication traffic block such as a packet is received, a determination is made as to whether the packet is to be broadcasted to a number of communication devices. If the packet is to be broadcasted, the packet is modified to include an indication that the packet is reflected, and the packet is broadcasted. A device that receives the broadcasted packet determines whether it is reflected and whether the identifier is associated with the device. If the packet is reflected and the identifier is associated with the device, the device discards the packet. Otherwise it forwards the packet. Forwarding loops may instead be avoided without modifying packets, based on an amount of time elapsed between sending and receiving a packet.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.